EDITORIALS & ARTICLES

To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?. UPSC IAS Mains 2021 General Studies (Paper – 2)

Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary form of government, where the Executive is responsible to the Parliament for its policies and acts. 

Mechanisms of Parliamentary control over the Executive:  

  1. Question-hour, zero-hour,half-an-hour discussion, short duration discussion, calling attention motion, adjournment motion, no-confidence motion, censure motion, and other discussions.
  2. General Discussion, Voting on policy/law;censure motion; no-confidence motion.
  3. Budgetary control – appropriation of grants and post-budgetary control through financial committees like Public Accounts Committee, etc.
  4. Walkouts, abstain from voting, use of live-streaming to put pressure on the executive.

Parliament unable to ensure accountability of the executive: 

1. Tendencies to evade route of debates/discussions/checks through instruments –  

    1. Money bill route [Aadhar bill];  
    2. Use of voice vote mechanism [Farm bills];  
    3. frequent ordinances. 

2. Sidelining parliamentary institutions–  

    1. lesser bills referred to parliamentary committees;  
    2. low productivity of question-hour. 

3. During the pandemic – a complete session [Winter session] was missed.
4. Lack of discipline/decorum –frequent disruptions [PRS – LS lost 1/6th; RS lost 1/3rd of its time to disruptions] 

Suggestion to improve 

  • Following 15-point reform charter for better functioning of Parliament as suggested by Vice President
  • Making scrutiny of all bills by Parliamentary Committees mandatory.
  • Providing adequate time to opposition members to debate issues of public importance. 






POSTED ON 29-07-2023 BY ADMIN
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