Legislative disruptions are a form of obstruction where legislative business is forcibly stalled by intentional acts orchestrated by political actors to achieve concrete political objectives.
- Ideological distinctions amongst parties, issues of national interests not being given adequate attention, etc. are key reasons fuelling disruptions.
Key Impacts of Disruptions
- Delays Legislative Business: Along with delaying the business of the house, it also undermines the role of Parliament as a forum for raising citizens’ concerns.
- Fewer Institutional Checks: Increasing instances of judiciary over-reach and resorting to ordinances by executive undermines the key function of parliament.
- Weakening of deliberative democracy: Due to little to very little discussions over bills.
- In 17th Lok Sabha, 58% of total 179 Bills passed were within two weeks of their introduction, and 35% of these were passed with less than an hour of discussion.
- Loss of Functional Time: 17th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) sat for just 274 days with average number of sittings per year to be 55.
- Declining Consultative Spirt: In 17th Lok Sabha, only 16% of the Bills introduced were referred to the committees losing an expert layer of scrutiny.
Measures to Address Disruptions in Legislatures
- Establishing a Legislative Committee of Parliament to govern and cooperate legislative scheduling.
- Meeting of an all-party Business Advisory Committee to decide on weekly agenda through consensus.
- Setting aside certain days for opposition parties to determine the agenda for debate like in the British Parliament.
- Increasing Parliamentary sitting days as per recommendations of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002), etc.
