Context: The recent winter session of Parliament witnessed major interruptions, resulting in considerable time loss and a notably low productivity level.
Parliament Productivity
• The recurring disruptions and absence of decorum bring into question the efficiency of parliamentary democracy in India.
• During the session, only four Bills were passed in the Lok Sabha and three in the Rajya Sabha.
• The Lok Sabha recorded a productivity rate of around 54.5%, while the Rajya Sabha’s productivity stood at approximately 40%.
Major Reasons of Low Productivity
• Decline of Parliamentary Civility: The erosion of decorum in Parliament can be partly attributed to precedents established in the past.
• The Speaker’s hesitance to enforce rules and remove disruptive MPs has allowed disturbances to become a common feature of parliamentary sessions.
• Acrimony Between Government and Opposition: The relationship between the government and the opposition has grown increasingly hostile.
• Both sides view each other as adversaries rather than competitors, which complicates cooperation and weakens the trust essential for a healthy democracy.
• Diminished Public Expectations: Public expectations of MPs have evolved.
• Voters no longer primarily evaluate MPs based on their performance in Parliament, such as their debating abilities, but rather on their local political influence and services to constituents.
• Decline of Parliamentary Debate: The quality of debate in Parliament has declined.
• MPs often prioritize disruption over meaningful discussions, and parliamentary performance is frequently overshadowed by media appearances and televised clashes.
Way Forward
• Restore Parliamentary Decorum: All political parties must prioritize reinstating decorum and fostering constructive dialogue within Parliament.
• Improve Communication: Strengthening communication and dialogue between the government and the opposition is essential to resolve issues and identify areas of agreement.
• Modernize Parliamentary Procedures: There should be consideration given to modernizing parliamentary procedures to improve efficiency and meet the demands of the 21st century.
• Focus on Public Interest: Lawmakers must focus on serving the public interest and addressing urgent national concerns.
