Monsoon Session ends in near washout as disruptions stall Parliament
Lok Sabha productivity among the lowest in over two decades; only one Bill sees detailed debate as government and Opposition trade blame
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Context
The Monsoon Session of Parliament concluded with extremely low productivity rates (19% in and 39% in ), marked by continuous disruptions and an impasse between the government and the Opposition. Despite passing 12 Bills, including the , the session saw minimal debate and legislative scrutiny, raising critical concerns about the functioning of India's parliamentary democracy.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity
The fundamental role of Parliament is to hold the executive accountable and deliberate on legislation. This session's low productivity highlights a persistent crisis in legislative functioning. The passage of Bills with minimal or no debate (often by voice vote amidst din) undermines the principle of deliberative democracy. The Constitution envisions Parliament not merely as a law-making body, but as a forum for rigorous scrutiny. The data pointing to this being one of the lowest productivity rates in 22 years indicates a structural breakdown in the Parliamentary committee system and floor management. The referral of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill to a (JPC) was a rare instance of detailed scrutiny in this session. UPSC aspirants must understand the mechanisms of parliamentary accountability, such as Question Hour (which was severely curtailed in this session), Zero Hour, and the crucial role of Parliamentary Committees in ensuring laws are not passed in haste.
Governance
The frequent disruptions and subsequent adjournments (often sine die) reflect a deeper governance challenge concerning the relationship between the ruling party and the Opposition. The Opposition utilizes disruptions as a tool to force debates on pressing issues, while the government often accuses them of obstructionism. This breakdown in consensus building affects the quality of laws passed. The passage of critical legislation like the (anti-paper leak law) requires robust debate to ensure its efficacy and avoid unintended consequences. The lack of detailed scrutiny can lead to poorly drafted laws that face legal challenges or implementation hurdles. Effective governance requires a functioning legislature where the executive is regularly questioned and policies are debated. The decline in the number of Starred Questions answered orally diminishes the direct accountability of Ministers to the House.
Ethics
The continuous disruption of Parliament raises ethical questions regarding the duties of Members of Parliament (MPs) towards their constituents and the nation. MPs are elected to represent the people, debate issues of national importance, and enact laws. The failure to utilize parliamentary time effectively (costing the exchequer significantly) can be seen as a breach of public trust. The rightly pointed out that repeated disruptions "ultimately affect the trust and aspirations of the people." There is an ethical imperative for both the ruling party to accommodate Opposition demands for debate and for the Opposition to use parliamentary procedures constructively rather than resorting to constant disruption. This situation underscores the need for political probity and a commitment to democratic norms above partisan interests.