Indian Parliamentary Forums: Initiatives and their Impact since 2005

Growth & Scope Indian Parliamentary Forums Since 2005

System of Parliamentary forums initiated by the then Speaker of Lok Sabha, Somnath Chatterjee On 12th May 2005. First forum was the Parliamentary forum on water conservation. Subsequently, seven more forums were constituted. 

At present, there are eight Parliamentary forums. The Secretary-General of Lok Sabha is the Secretary to the forums. This Forum will not interfere with or encroach upon the jurisdiction of the Departmentally-Related Standing Committees.

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 prepare a data-base through collection of data on critical issues from ministries concerned, reliable NGOs, newspapers, United Nations, Internet.

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

• Each Forum consists of not more than 31 members (excluding the President, Co-President and Vice-Presidents) out of whom not more than 21 are from the Lok Sabha and not more than 10 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 of which the Chairperson of Rajya Sabha is the ex-officio President and the Speaker is the ex-officio Co-President. 
• The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, the concerned Ministers and the Chairman of Departmentally-Related Standing Committees are the ex-officio Vice-Presidents of the 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 the forum appoints a member-convener for each forum to conduct regular, approved programmes/meetings of the forum in consultation with the President. 
• 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 constituted four sub-forums of 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?

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