Parliamentary Productivity in India: Challenges and Solutions

The productivity of the Indian Parliament has seen a significant decline in recent years, marked by fewer sitting days and a reduction in the number of bills passed. The 17th Lok Sabha is on track to be the shortest full-term Lok Sabha since 1952. Political polarisation, inadequate preparation, and a lack of diversity contribute to this trend. Understanding these issues is crucial for enhancing the Parliament’s effectiveness.

Addressing Diminishing Productivity in the Indian Parliament: Causes and Remedies

Decline of Parliament Productivity in Recent Years

• Overview of the 17th Lok Sabha’s Sitting Days: The 17th Lok Sabha, in its penultimate year, has operated for 230 sitting days. 
  • Sitting Days of the 16th Lok Sabha: Among Lok Sabhas completing a full five-year term, the 16th Lok Sabha recorded the fewest sitting days (331). 
  • Projected Performance of the 17th Lok Sabha: With an average of 58 sitting days per year and one year left, it’s improbable for the 17th Lok Sabha to exceed the 331-day mark. 
    • If this occurs, it would be the shortest full-term Lok Sabha since 1952.
• Legislative Productivity Trends: As per PRS Legislative Research data, there has been a decrease in the number of bills passed by the Lok Sabha over the years. 
  • Legislative Output of the Lok Sabhas: In the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019), a total of 205 bills were passed, compared to 248 bills in the preceding Lok Sabha (2009-2014). 
    • The current 17th Lok Sabha (2019-present) has passed only 17 bills thus far.
  • Impact of Disruptions on Legislative Efficiency: Analysis by IndiaSpend reveals that the 16th Lok Sabha lost 29% of its scheduled time due to disruptions, while the 17th Lok Sabha has lost 48% of its scheduled time to date.
• Decline in Private Members’ Bills: Private Members’ Bills, introduced by non-government MPs, is considered a way for backbenchers to contribute to legislation. 
  • However, data from PRS Legislative Research indicates a decline in the introduction and passage of Private Members’ Bills.

Factors Contributing to Diminishing Productivity in the Indian Parliament

The diminishing productivity of the Indian Parliament can be attributed to various factors:

• Political Polarization and Confrontational Politics:
  • Frequent disruptions in the House.
  • Protests, sloganeering, and walkouts by MPs.
  • Impedes smooth Parliamentary functioning.
• Lack of Adequate Preparation and Deliberation:
  • Rushed passage of bills without thorough discussions.
  • Results in inadequate scrutiny and oversight.
  • This leads to poorly drafted legislation causing delays and controversies.
• Strong Anti-defection measures:
  • MPs always have to tow party-line.
  • MPs turn into mouthpieces of respective parties instead of being the voice of the people.
• Weak Committee System:
  • Ineffective scrutiny of bills due to a weak committee system.
  • Committees play a crucial role in research and stakeholder consultations.
  • Bypassing committees hampers the legislative process.
• Absence of Diversity in Parliament:
  • Significant underrepresentation of marginalized groups.
  • Lack of diverse voices and perspectives.
  • Legislation may not reflect the needs of all sections of society.

Ways to Enhance Parliamentary Productivity in India

• • Promote Constructive and Consensus-based Politics:
    • Encourage collaboration among members from different parties.
    • Reduce disruptions in the House for more efficient functioning.
  • Improve Preparation and Scrutiny of Bills:
    •  Establish a robust committee system for in-depth research.
    •  Facilitate consultations with stakeholders for well-drafted bills.
    •  Ensure thorough scrutiny and adequate debate in Parliament.

• Enhance Diversity and Representation:

• • •  Increase representation of marginalized groups (women, Dalits, religious minorities).
    •  Ensure diverse voices are heard, reflecting societal needs in legislation.

• Leverage Technology for Efficiency:

• • • Implement electronic voting systems for streamlined processes.
    • Enable remote attendance for members to reduce disruptions.
    • Enhance digital communication channels for efficient operations.

• Focus on Capacity-building and Training:

• • Provide training for MPs in legislative drafting and public speaking.
  • Enhance skills for effective committee work.
  • Empower Parliamentarians to contribute to better legislative outcomes.

Conclusion

Improving the productivity of the Indian Parliament requires a multifaceted approach, including fostering collaboration among parties and enhancing bill preparation. 

• Increasing representation of marginalized groups and leveraging technology can also play a vital role. 
• By addressing these challenges, Parliament can strengthen democratic governance and better serve the needs of all citizens.

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