Parliament is the temple of Democracy where elected representatives arrive at decisions regarding governance after debates & deliberations. It is considered as the highest platform for holding the executive accountable for their actions. However, in the recent decade, the role of Individual parliamentarian is in decline, attributed to various factors like:
1. Criminalization of politics: ADR reports that 43% of the MPs in the 2014 Lok Sabha faced criminal charges, as compared with 30% in 2009 and 24% in 2004.
2. Anti-defection law: The rigidity of party discipline has tied down party members to follow the dictates of party bosses once elected to the Legislature.
3. Absenteeism: Nearly 40% of the parliamentarians who are members of eight department-related standing committees did not attend even a single meeting on demand for grants for various ministries in 2019-2020.
4. Shifting to Ordinance Route: There has also been a shift to law-making by ordinance, which completely bypasses the formal route of debate and discussions. E.g.: More than 11 ordinances passed in 2021.
5. Private Member Bill losing relevance: From 2014-2018 about 900 private member Bills were introduced in the Parliament but not even 2% of these bills were discussed.
Follow Goswami Committee recommendations that Anti Defection law will not apply on MP for casting their vote except in No confidence and budget motion.
Follow Global Practises: Reserving a day in the week for the Opposition to set the agenda for Parliament.
Another solution could be to spread out the parliamentary proceedings to round-the-year, Monday to Friday, instead of the three sessions, as is the current practice.
Quorum: Political parties must ensure attendance of at least 50% of their legislators throughout the proceedings of the Houses by adopting a roster system.
Legislative Impact Assessment: A detailed framework for pre and post Legislative Impact Assessment is needed.
Research staff and resources should be increased for Individual Parliamentarians.
Parliamentary democracy is based on debates and discussion; thus, parliamentarians need to be accountable for their functioning, enriching the very foundation of democracy. At the same time, it is the responsibility of voters to choose their parliamentarians wisely.