Steps to make Parliament more effective

Following steps can be taken to increase the effectiveness of Parliament :-

1 . Role of Parliamentary Committees

• Parliamentary Committees are kind of mini parliament in itself  .
• Larger number of bills should be referred to Parliamentary Committees as its membership is  representative of Parliament  .

2. Increasing Plenary Time

• Parliament is supposed to meet roughly 100 days per year but significant portion of that time is lost to parliamentary obstructionism . Data shows that number of working days have decreased
  • 140 days a year in the 1950s
  • 65 days over the past five years.
• NCRWC Recommendation : provision of 100 obstruction free days for parliamentary working can be made mandatory by law (each obstruction free day is defined as 5hour/day) 

3. Parliament Budget Office  (PBO)

• A Parliamentary Budget Office (akin to the US Congressional Budget Office)would help MPs provide effective oversight.

4. Shadow Cabinet

• Under such a system, opposition MPs track a certain portfolio, scrutinize its performance and suggest alternate programs.  

5. e-petition System

• Under this system, If 10 lakh people sign a petition , PM or minister concerned will have to reply to it.

6. Tackling delegated legislation

There is committee on Subordinate Delegation

• Parliament has made this committee to assure that Delegated Legislation are in broad conformity with Legislation .
• This Committee need to be strengthened.

7. Role of Speaker

• Speakers have failed spectacularly wrt upholding the rules of parliamentary conduct & punishing errant MPs

8. Increasing Women Representation

• Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have not seen women MPs cross the 15% mark.
• Passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill (108th amendment) reserving 33% of all seats in Parliament and State legislatures for women.