President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday called for “collective thinking” by political parties and leaders to ensure the smooth running of Parliament and State Assemblies and improving the quality of debates in the legislatures.
“If we do not utilise the powers and privileges vested in the members of legislative bodies, we have to blame only ourselves,” said Mr. Mukherjee while delivering the first Bhairon Singh Shekhawat memorial lecture on the late Vice-President’s death anniversary at the B.M. Birla Auditorium here.
Speaking on “History of parliamentary democracy in India”, he said debate, dissension and decision were the three aspects of democratic functioning that strengthen governance.
The President said the Indian people had endorsed the “brilliant traditions and rights” enshrined in the Constitution by participating in the 16 general elections. “Unless we maintain quality in our deliberations, we cannot remain a role model to the world simply by the size of [our] electorate.”
Chamling felicitated
Mr. Mukherjee conferred the first Bhairon Singh Shekhawat lifetime achievement honour in public service on Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling on the occasion. He praised Mr. Chamling’s contribution to his State’s development through his innovative steps and said Sikkim had emerged as a role model for other States.
Those present during the lecture, organised by Shekhawat’s daughter Ratan Kanwar and other family members, included Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, Punjab Governor V.P. Singh Badnore, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot.
Mr. Mukherjee expressed concern over a gradual decline in the time devoted towards legislation, while providing comparative figures of the first Lok Sabha, which had passed 319 Bills in 677 sittings, and the subsequent Lok Sabhas. “The 16th Lok Sabha has had only 197 sittings and passed only 111 Bills till the 10th session,” the President said.
Pointing to the time lost due to interruptions and adjournments, the President said 9.95% of the total time was lost in the 10th Lok Sabha, 5.28% in the 11th Lok Sabha, 11.93% in the 12th Lok Sabha, 18.95% in the 13th Lok Sabha, 19.58% in the 14th Lok Sabha, a “shocking” 41.6% in the 15th Lok Sabha and about 16% in the 16th Lok Sabha up to the 10th session.
Mr. Mukherjee said every legislation must be preceded by adequate discussion and scrutiny in view of the heightened complexity of administration.
“Legislators must be sensitive and responsive to the problems and concerns of the people...They must give voice to the grievances of the public by raising them on the floor of the legislature and act as the link between the people and the government,” said Mr. Mukherjee.
He regretted that despite successful working of parliamentary democracy, many people were still living in poverty, deprivation and illiteracy. “Democracy should provide for an enabling environment which helps every section of society to fully participate in the process of governance,” he said.
