R2R SSB GD Topic Notes

Fresh SSB batches start around the 1st & 15th of every month.

In recent times, the efficiency & stature of Parliament has reduced in the conduct of its business. In your opinion, what is the reason for it and what can be the solutions? 

Leads:

1. Short Parliament Sessions
2. Leniency in Scrutiny of Bills
3. Absenteeism

Introduction: Parliament is the cornerstone of Indian democracy, responsible for debating laws, ensuring accountability, and representing citizens' voices. However, its functioning has faced criticism in recent years for frequent disruptions, hurried legislation, and declining debate quality. Among all reasons, the leniency in scrutiny of bills is the primary factor reducing Parliament's efficiency, as it directly affects the quality of law-making and democratic accountability.

1) Short Parliament Sessions

• Shrinking Time: The number of sitting days has reduced from an average of 120+ days per year (1950s) to 60–70 days in recent years.
• Monsoon Session 2023 lasted only 17 days; Winter Session was even shorter.
• Legislation Pushed Through Quickly: In fewer days, many bills are passed without thorough debate (e.g., Farm Bills 2020).
• Impact on Oversight: Less time leads to weaker scrutiny of the executive, and shorter Question Hours affect transparency.

✅ Problem: Constrains deliberative democracy, but not the root cause — longer sessions without scrutiny would still not ensure better outcomes.

2) Leniency in Scrutiny of Bills

• Falling Referrals to Committees: Earlier, 60–70 percent of bills were sent to Parliamentary Standing Committees for detailed analysis. In the 17th Lok Sabha, this fell to less than 15 percent.
• Rushed Legislation: Several key bills like Farm Bills 2020, Labour Codes, and Digital Data Protection Bill 2023 were passed without adequate discussion or scrutiny.
• Lack of Transparency: Parliamentary committees allow expert consultations, bipartisan discussions, and civil society inputs — bypassing them weakens law quality.
• Checks & Balances Undermined: The Executive pushes laws without strong legislative oversight, diluting constitutional accountability.

✅ Impact: Directly affects the quality of laws, leads to public backlash, and undermines public trust in Parliament.

3) Absenteeism

• Poor Attendance: In many sessions, MP attendance during debates or committee meetings is less than 60 percent.
• Lack of Discipline: Frequent walkouts, disruptions, and lack of quorum (minimum required presence) delay legislative work.
• Negative Public Perception: Absentee MPs create an impression of neglect and disinterest, affecting Parliament’s moral authority.
• Solutions Like:
  • Biometric attendance
  • Linking MP salaries to participation
  • Public dashboards to report attendance

✅ Impact: While absenteeism slows the process, it’s often a symptom of deeper issues, not the sole cause.

Conclusion (Balanced View): The declining stature of Parliament is a systemic concern, but the lenient scrutiny of bills is the most serious flaw. Quality debate and legislative oversight are non-negotiable in a healthy democracy. Solutions must include:

• Mandating committee review of all non-emergency bills,
• Fixing a minimum number of Parliament sitting days (say 100+),
• Enforcing strict attendance norms and citizen report cards for MPs.

To restore Parliament’s credibility, it must become a space of rigorous, respectful, and informed debate — not a platform for rushed laws and political showdowns.