The Big Question: Is parliament shirking its duty?

When the winter session of parliament resumed on Tuesday, it lasted all of 30 minutes, when the opposition’s disruptions forced the Lok Sabha to be adjourned. The Rajya Sabha had also been adjourned to condole the death of two sitting members. The day was wasted, and so was the tax-payer’s money; it costs Rs. 160 crore to keep the parliament running everyday. That’s just the immediate loss; the greater loss is the paralysis that has set in due to a lack of decision-making and an appetite for policy change. According to PRS Legislative Research, a policy study group based in Delhi, there were 37 Bills listed for passing in the Monsoon Session, and only 10 were passed. In the Budget Session, the plan was to pass 33 Bills, of which 5 were passed. For the winter session, the Government’s legislative agenda includes 31 pending bills for consideration and passing, and 23 new bills for introduction.

Parliament will need to be at its efficient best as three important Bills related to tackling corruption need to be discussed: The Lok Pal Bill, the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, and the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Persons making disclosures Bill. Also to be tabled are the Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Amendment, and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill.  At a time when India is faced with slow GDP growth, a sinking stock market and high inflationary pressures, any delay in decision-making will ensure that India digs itself into a hole, one that will be very difficult to climb out of.
 

Is parliament shirking its duty? Do we need another citizen-and-media-led campaign to hold our elected leaders responsible for stalling parliament?

Give us your opinion in the comments section below, and we will pick and feature the best of them.


Related:
* Bills in winter session hold key to policy pragmatism
* UPA govt braces for a hot Winter Session
* Winter Session: United Opposition corners Govt

Previously on the Big Question: Can the Rupee bounce back?

You Said:

"Guys lets be honest....even if people like kapil sibal, manish tiwari..(long list).....what will dey discuss or do dey have not anything in years. In fact dese people must be daam happy about adjourned parliament as they can now take an early off and concentrate on looting the nation."
Maverick

"The Change in the OATH language of the swearing -in-swearing of a Member of Parliament / Member of Legilslative Assembly may be a Genuine suggestion at this stage. An additional sentence, may be incorporated in the present oath text, which is as follows: " I ( L P YADAV / R B PASWAN / M S YADAV / MAYAWATI / RENUKA CHOUDHARY-- -- -- ) ALSO PUT MY SELF UNDER THE OATH THAT I SHALL ABIDE BY THE DECORUM OF THE HOUSE AND BEHAVE IN A MANNER EXPECTED OF A GENTLEMAN LEGISLATOR. I SHALL NOT INDULGE IN ANY UNRULY MANNER AND NOT TRY TO DISRUPT THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THE TAX PAYERS MONEY WHICH PUTS ME AS A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR DISCHARGING THE DUTIES ASSIGNED TO ME AS A LEGISLATOR. I SHALL BE LIABLE FOR RECALL OR PUNISHMENT OR DEBARRED FROM ANY FURTHER ELECTIONS, IF I AM INVOLVED IN ANY UNCULTURED BEHAVIOUR LEADING TO THE DELAYS IN THE FORMATION OF DESIRED LAWS OR HEALTHY DISCUSSIONS."
The enforcing of the above oath against offenders shall rest on the party leaders , the speaker and the deputy speakers.
The above suggestion may sound slightly odd but only detterant prima-facie oath can tone down the legistors of the date."
S B Singh

"There is no doubt that most parliamentarians themselves have made this august institution as a place to settle political scores rather than a place where an agenda to take the nation forward is finalized. The people of this country have to take the blame for sending this class of politicians to represent themselves. It is high time, now the people realize that instead of electing a person on caste, religious, and dynastic considerations, let persons with a good record of public service and unquestionable integrity be elected. If such persons are not put up by parties, let the people boycott the elections rather than sending crooks who will do nothing but damage to the country."
Kamal

"There must be rules for those who enter in politics. The parliament is worst than the "machchhi market". If they don't know how to behave, how to control themselves, how these people can run the whole country.The children in school better know how to be in discipline than this people. If it costs Rs. 160 crore to keep the parliament running everyday, then what is the outcome of spending this much money.Only just for 30 minute session. Wake up Indian Govt. Make some rules, Some basic education requirement for entering into politics. Every field in this world require some basic education. Then why not in politics, because they have to control the whole country. Think of it."
Riya

"They look for their interests, comforts, salaries and protection. Can you imagine the amount being spent every day on their security? It is sheer waste of Public money and public is being loaded with every imaginable tax. Shame to them but again they are shameless."
Devendra Bedi