Annual calendar, at least 100 sittings every year must in Parliament: O’Brien
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)
| Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity |
| Context |
| ●Trinamool Congress’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien criticizes the government’s short notice for Parliament sessions and urges an annual calendar with at least 100 sittings. |
Issues Associated with Short Notice for Parliament Sessions
Inadequate Preparation Time:
- Short notice leaves lawmakers with little time to prepare for crucial debates and discussions.
- This can lead to superficial scrutiny of bills and motions, affecting the quality of legislative work.
Reduced Accountability and Scrutiny:
- With insufficient time, Parliament members are unable to hold the government accountable effectively.
- Parliamentary debates on national issues are rushed, reducing the chances for detailed examination.
Impact on Members’ Engagement:
- Short session notices disrupt MPs’ schedules, especially those with constituency commitments.
- Lack of preparation time affects both the members and their ability to represent the people they serve effectively.
Public Distrust:
- Unpredictable parliamentary schedules erode public trust in the functioning of the government.
- Citizens expect transparency, and sudden session announcements may raise concerns about the legislative process being manipulated.
Legislative Disorganization:
- When sessions are not planned in advance, there’s a lack of structured business, affecting the prioritization of critical national issues.
- Lack of a predictable calendar results in chaotic and disorganized parliamentary proceedings.
Way Forward: Structured Parliamentary Calendar
Introducing an Annual Parliamentary Calendar:
- The government should publish an annual calendar for Parliament, enabling all stakeholders to plan ahead.
- This can include expected session dates, discussion topics, and important legislative matters.
Mandating Minimum 100 Parliamentary Sessions:
- To ensure proper legislative functioning, at least 100 sittings per year should be conducted.
- This ensures that there’s adequate time for legislation, debates, and holding the government accountable.
Improved Session Planning:
- The planning should allow for a sufficient gap between sessions, giving members enough time for preparation and constituency work.
- A predictable session structure also improves the quality of debates and deliberations.
Conclusion
- By establishing a predictable calendar, Parliament can become more accountable, transparent, and better equipped to serve the public’s interests.
| Practice Question: Critically analyze the issues arising from short notice announcements for Parliament sessions. Suggest a way forward to improve the functioning and accountability of Parliament through a structured annual calendar.(150 Words /10 marks) |
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