GS2 (Mains Answer Writing): Parliament of India - Notes | Study Indian Polity for UPSC CSE - UPSC

To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?

Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary form of government, where the Executive is responsible to the Parliament for its policies and acts.
Mechanisms of Parliamentary control over the Executive:

• Question-hour, zero-hour, half-an-hour discussion, short duration discussion, calling attention motion, adjournment motion, no-confidence motion, censure motion, and other discussions. 
• General Discussion, Voting on policy/law; censure motion; no-confidence motion. 
• Budgetary control – appropriation of grants and post-budgetary control through financial committees like Public Accounts Committee, etc. 
• Walkouts, abstain from voting, use of live-streaming to put pressure on the executive.

Parliament unable to ensure accountability of the executive:

1. Tendencies to evade route of debates/discussions/checks through instruments –  

• Money bill route [Aadhar bill];  
• Use of voice vote mechanism [Farm bills];  
• frequent ordinances.

2. Sidelining parliamentary institutions –  

• lesser bills referred to parliamentary committees;  
• low productivity of question-hour.

3. During the pandemic – a complete session [Winter session] was missed.

4. Lack of discipline/decorum – frequent disruptions [PRS – LS lost 1/6th; RS lost 1/3rd of its time to disruptions] 

Suggestion to improve 

• Following 15-point reform charter for better functioning of Parliament as suggested by Vice President
• Making scrutiny of all bills by Parliamentary Committees mandatory.
• Providing adequate time to opposition members to debate issues of public importance. 

Topics covered - Parliament, Parliamentary Committees