The Hindu Editorial Analysis
3 May 2025
Strengthening parliamentary oversight in India
(Source – The Hindu, National Edition – Page No. – 06)
Topic: GS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Context
- Effective governance must be paired with strong accountability.
- This accountability begins with an empowered and effective Parliament.
Introduction
- The Indian Constitution was drafted over nearly three years, with 167 days of debate.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar defended the parliamentary system for its balance between responsibility and stability.
- Parliament ensures daily accountability and periodic accountability through elections.
Oversight Challenges in Parliament
Issue: Diminishing Legislative Oversight
- The Constitution provides for checks and balances.
- However, parliamentary oversight over the executive has often weakened.
Efficiency vs Transparency
- Efficient governance is necessary but should never compromise transparency.
Enhancing Parliament’s Role
- Parliament must be strengthened to better scrutinize laws and government actions.
- Effective legislative oversight is key to implementing laws and ensuring accountability.
Current Mechanisms of Accountability
- Question Hour, Zero Hour, and Standing Committees are tools for parliamentary scrutiny.
- Frequent disruptions during Question & Zero Hour limit their effectiveness.
- In the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24), only 60% of Question Hour in Lok Sabha and 52% in Rajya Sabha was actually used.
- MPs often focus on narrow issues instead of broad, systematic investigations.
- Standing Committees do detailed work but their reports rarely get discussed in full Parliament sessions.
- Committee recommendations often have limited impact on government decisions.
- Consultations in committees engage only a small, non-diverse group of stakeholders.
- Temporary committee structures limit members’ expertise and long-term engagement.
Success Stories of Legislative Oversight
- Railways Committee (2015): Recommended waiving dividends by Indian Railways, improving financial health.
- Transport Committee (2017): Contributed to key Motor Vehicles Bill amendments, including road safety measures.
- Public Undertakings Committee: Recommended better land acquisition before starting NHAI highway projects.
- Estimates Committee: Suggested boosting domestic uranium production.
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Exposed corruption and delays in the 2010 Commonwealth Games; its recommendations have 80% government acceptance rate over 8 years.
Recommendations for Reforms
Post-Legislative Scrutiny
- India lacks a formal system to track if laws deliver intended results.
- Create subcommittees or a specialized body to review law implementation.
- The UK’s model: Government departments review major laws 3-5 years post-enactment, followed by parliamentary committee evaluation for timely corrections.
Institutional Strengthening of Committees
- Present key committee reports on the parliamentary floor for debate and require ministerial responses.
- Improve accessibility of committee findings (local languages, videos, visuals).
- Provide committees with dedicated research and technical support beyond just administrative aid.
Leveraging Technology
- MPs often lack professional research staff, making detailed scrutiny difficult.
- The volume of data (budgets, audits, policies) is overwhelming.
- Using AI and data analytics can help MPs identify irregularities, monitor trends, and ask informed questions.
Conclusion
- As Vice-President K.R. Narayanan stated in 1993, oversight aims not to criticize but to strengthen administration by supporting Parliament meaningfully.
- Strong legislative oversight respects the public mandate and ensures government remains transparent, accountable, and truly democratic.