Slide summary7

HOW can Parliament

function better? !

!

Data Source: PRS Legislative Research

The Analysis

The Analysis

A Better Parliament The Job of a Member of Parliament

4. Being the Government’s Boss!

2. Examining the Govt's!expenses and budgets

3. Representing their!Constituencies’ interests

1. Making Laws

Inadequate discussion: in terms of time, and knowledge scope!

Voice Voting, hence limited motivation!

‘Party Whip’ compulsion, means cannot vote as per conscience!

Not enough time for discussion and debate on Expenses and Budget!

Constituents unaware of MPs performance, as few metrics are recorded!

!

The Constraints

The Analysis

A Better Parliament The Performance Numbers

Avg Days Parliament sat for !

50s: 600Avg Hours Parliament sat for !

50s: 3700Avg Hours of Budget discussion!

50s: 123

15th Lok Sabha: 335 !55.8%

15th Lok Sabha: 1329!35.9%

15th Lok Sabha: 39!31.7%

The Analysis

A Better Parliament The Impact of Less Hours

Unscrutinised Demands & Grants !This year, all Demands and Grants amounting to Rs. 16.6 lakh crores were sanctioned without discussion. !No scrutiny of government’s proposed expenses by BOSS!

Hasty Law Making !Law on Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at the Work Place was passed without discussion in under 20 minutes. !Law much needed, but discussion would make Law stronger.

The Analysis

A Better Parliament

Job of MP is to be Government’s Boss, but Government decides the Agenda. Boss, especially if in Opposition, has little control. Leads to frustration … leading to disruptions.

Disruptions, The Root Cause

Disruptions, The Possible Solutions

Opposition MPs decide agenda for 1 day/week. (UK reserves 20 days/session)

Strict and prompt action against offending MPs.

The Analysis

A Better Parliament

Instead of Government deciding to convene the Parliament on an ad hoc basis …

Days when Parliament must sit

should be pre-decided

Certain number of opposition MPs should be able to ask for a

sitting / topic of discussion

HOW can number of sitting days be increased?

The Analysis

A Better Parliament

Record and publicise performance so Constituents can support performing MPs

Staff & Experts, for Research Support Staff Budget: India Rs 3.6 lakhs

US: $ 3mn, UK: 87,000 GBP

Limit compulsory whip voting only to vote threatening

survival of the Government

HOW can performance of MPs be improved?

IN CONCLUSION!

Please Ask your Lok Sabha candidate

HOW will the !Parliament be a better Boss !

to the Government?HOW will the !

Parliament sit for more number of days?

HOW will the !Parliament disruptions !

be minimised?

IN CONCLUSION!

Please Ask your Lok Sabha candidate

for m

ore AskH

ow An

alysis

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se fo

llow !

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