Indian Parliamentary Forums: Initiatives and their Impact since 2005

Growth & Scope Indian Parliamentary Forums Since 2005 #

In 2005, the former Speaker of Lok Sabha, Somnath Chatterjee, started a system of Parliamentary forums. The first one was about water conservation, and since then, seven more forums have been created.

Currently, there are eight of these forums, with the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha acting as their secretary. These forums are separate from the Departmentally-Related Standing Committees and do not interfere with their responsibilities.

Objectives and Impact of Parliamentary Forums in Enhancing MP Effectiveness Since 2005 #

• To provide a platform to the MPs to have interactions with the ministers concerned, experts and key officials to have a focused and meaningful discussion on critical issues with a result-oriented approach.
• To sensitize MPs about the key areas of concern and equip them with the latest information and latest knowledge. Hereby, enabling them to raise these issues effectively in the House.
• To create a database, gather information on important topics from relevant government departments, trustworthy NGOs, newspapers, the United Nations, and the internet.

Parliamentary Forums: Formation, Leadership & Dynamics in Indian Legislative Initiatives #

• Each Forum has a maximum of 31 members (excluding the President, Co-President, and Vice-Presidents). Out of these, no more than 21 members are from the Lok Sabha and no more than 10 members are from the Rajya Sabha. 
• The Speaker of Lok Sabha is the ex-officio President of all the Forums except the Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health, which is led by the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, who is the ex-officio President, and the Speaker, who is the ex-officio Co-President. 
• The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the relevant Ministers, and the Chairperson of Departmentally-Related Standing Committees are ex-officio Vice-Presidents of their respective Forums.
• Members (other than the President, Co-President and Vice-Presidents) of these forums are nominated by the Speaker/ Chairperson from amongst the leaders of various political parties/groups or their nominees, who have special knowledge in the subject.
• The duration of the office of members of the forum is co- terminus with their membership in the respective Houses. 
• A member may also resign from the forum by writing to the Speaker/Chairperson. 
• The President of each forum appoints a member to organize regular meetings in coordination with the President. These meetings happen as needed during Parliament sessions. 
• The meetings of the forums are held from time to time, as may be necessary, during Parliament sessions. 

India’s 8 Key Parliamentary Forums on Critical Issues (2005-2013): #

• Water conservation and management (2005)
• Youth (2006)
• Children (2006)
• Population and Public Health (2006)
• Global Warming and Climate Change (2008)
• Disaster Management (2011)
• Artisans and Crafts-people (2013)
• Millennium Development Goals (2013) 

Sub-Forums in Indian Parliamentary Youth Initiatives & Integration Within the Parliamentary Forums #

• The Speaker also formed four sub-forums under the Parliamentary Forum on Youth: 

1. 1. Sub-Forum on Sports and Youth Development 
   2. Sub-Forum on Health 
   3. Sub-Forum on Education 
   4. Sub-Forum on Employment

Parliamentary Committees Vs Parliamentary Forum: Which Better Serves Legislative Functions in India? #