Parliament Records Low Productivity and Legislative Activity in Recent Sessions

(PRS ) The Indian Parliament functioned for about half of its scheduled time during the first six months of the 18th Lok Sabha, with Lok Sabha operating at 52% efficiency and Rajya Sabha at 39%. This marks one of the lowest levels of productivity in recent years, as highlighted by a recent report. A significant milestone was recorded with the passage of only one bill, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024. This was the lowest number of bills passed during the initial two sessions in the last six Lok Sabha terms. The functioning of Question Hour, a crucial mechanism for holding the government accountable, was heavily impacted. It was reported that in Rajya Sabha, Question Hour did not function for 15 out of 19 days, while in Lok Sabha, it lasted for less than 10 minutes on 12 out of 20 days. Question Hour is primarily used by members to scrutinize government policies and actions, making this disruption a matter of concern. Additionally, no private members’ business was conducted in Lok Sabha, and only one resolution was discussed in Rajya Sabha. Private members’ business is a critical platform for MPs to address regulatory gaps, raise national concerns, and represent public opinion. Another noteworthy issue is the non-election of a Deputy Speaker in the 18th Lok Sabha, echoing the 17th Lok Sabha, where no Deputy Speaker was elected throughout its term. These developments raise questions about the effectiveness of parliamentary proceedings and the legislative process, emphasizing the need for improved functioning and accountability in the sessions ahead.