House sittings up, yet key Bills stuck

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 25

The other day, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu announced that performance of the Narendra Modi government in Parliament over the last two years resulted in an increase both in the number of sittings and Bills introduced and passed by the Lok Sabha as compared to that of the "previous 10 years".

The minister went on to reel of statistics to back his assertion. The Lok Sabha held 149 sittings, averaging 75 per year and the Rajya Sabha held 143 sittings for an average of 71 per year. This marked an increase of four sittings per year in both cases over the previous 10-year average.

As for the legislative work transacted during this two-year period, the minister underscored that 101 Bills — 96 in the Lok Sabha and five in the Rajya Sabha — were introduced and of these the House of the People passed all, taking annual average to 48 per year which in itself was an improvement of three Bills per year over the past 10 years.

In the Council of States, where the BJP-led NDA government is in minority, the statistics reflected this position. The House passed 83 Bills, for an average of 41 per year, which, the minister said, marked a decline of four Bills per year over the same decade.

The minister reminded those indulging in stalling tactics that "from now on, any disruptions and delaying tactics will invite a price. I am sure all political parties will read the writing on the wall and enable effective functioning of both Houses".

What remains unsaid, but well within everyone's understanding, is that the minister was not so subtly reminding the principal political opponent, the Congress, its recent drubbing in the state Assembly elections.

The politics of stalling Parliament proceedings is not a recent phenomena, but has been a tool in the hands of the Opposition for well over three decades starting from the days of Rajiv Gandhi when the Bofors controversy erupted. The practice is being employed by the parties in Opposition, be it the Congress, the BJP or others.

The refrain of successive leaders in the Opposition over these years has been that it is for the government to work with the Opposition and ensure that the Houses run without any hindrance. Scheduled meetings organised by the presiding officers before the start of every session and parliamentary managers with representatives of parties in Parliament yield little when the going gets rough.

Recently, a retiring member from the Rajya Sabha VP Singh Badanore (BJP) from Rajasthan suggested in his farewell speech that members indulging in disruptions and going to the well of the House be suspended for a couple of days as a deterrent.

While the anguish of the member could be understood, rules do exist for the presiding officers to take action, as was done recently but not invoked frequently. Political differences at best are tackled on the same plane, while ensuring smooth proceedings requires skilled negotiation across the aisle allowing discussion, debate and dissension.

Achievements

• Passing of the Constitution Amendment Bill agreeing to swap enclaves with Bangladesh
• Amending law to allow trial of 16-18-year-old minor accused involved in heinous crimes
• Repeal of 419 obsolete laws in general, 758 appropriations Act
• Real Estate Regulation and Development Act to benefit homebuyers and protection from unscrupulous practices
• Bill allowing coal mines’ auction
• Bill allowing increase in FDI cap to 49 per cent

Downside

• The Goods and Services Tax, totted as the single biggest tax reform in the country, is stuck due to lack of consensus
• The government promulgated Ordinance on three occasions to convey its commitment to land acquisition Bill, but was eventually forced to allow it to lapse
• The SC struck down the process laid by the National Judicial Appointments Commission with regard to appointments in higher judiciary
• The Lokpal is still pending