Reasons for declining trend of legislative debates
This article provides information related recent trends of reduction of political debates in Assemblies and Parliament. Reasons are provided which can help you understand easily and give the valuable suggestions to improve the quality as well as participation in debates. The loss of decline of debate culture is given in points.
Legislative debates
Legislation is powerful tool in the hands of legislators to reform the administration and help people have better life. Legislation gives opportunity to party in power to give out the policies to help people and fulfill the essence of democracy. Opposition checks it through legislative debates to show whether it is useful to people. Legislative debates bring out the loopholes and gives opportunity to make party in power realise perfect policy making. The monsoon sessions are in the offing. Legislators are failing to utilise the precious time to bring out the grievances of people of their constituencies. These debates are vital to democratic process. In these days, there is decline trend in these debates.
Reasons for declining trend of legislative debates
1. Live telecasts of Assembly and Lok Sabha proceedings
2. Politicians turned businessmen and business men turned politicians
3. Lack of interest
Live telecasts of Assembly and Lok Sabha proceedings merits and demerits
It is with good intention live telecasts of Lok Sabha proceedings are being telecasted in television channels. With this, people can directly view their representatives on TV sets and can decide for his next election. This is giving chance to the people know about their MLA or MP and what he is speaking in Assembly or Lok Sabha.
On the advent of news channels, they began to give live telecasts of Assembly for hours and began to expose the ministers and Members of Legislative Assemblies. In the beginning, it has been good and later on it took negative turn. People representatives became hyperactive and began to stop proceedings for their constituency issue. When so many members are there, they are not giving any chance to rest of the persons and stalling the procedure. In Parliament, Telangana MPs stalled the proceedings and it became daily activity to do as to capture the view of their constituency people and stalling the debates on various issues which is obstructing democratic business. The valuable hours are wasted in the name of unnecessary arguments. Every one braces to bring their issue to forefront by any means is not plausible. So, most of our bills are turning into laws without proper debate. In budget sessions, most of bills are passed by Parliament without debate is not the essence of democracy.
Politicians turned businessmen and business men turned politician
The new trend is on Indian political arena. It is businessman entering the politics and at the same time politicians are treading the path of businesses. Once, politicians used to resort to business men for party funds and election expenses. But, they have realised when they have power to do anything, why they should resort to such persons. This made them have so many businesses and at the same time they are asking for party funds from businessmen. Now, these two category people are very busy in getting their businesses-friendly policies formulated. They raise questions regarding their issues rather than people issues. They spend most of their time in their businesses and leaving democracy to its pathetic path.
Lack of interest is a reason for declining of debate culture
Few politicians are not of the interest to do the service, but are forced into the politics as they have family background. They become politicians but there is no interest from them. They keep quiet and they become spectators. Anyhow, few get enlightened as the time goes on.
Losses of declining trend of legislative debates
- Government can do any law if it begins to think it can do as there is no active debate.
- Without debates, money bills will be passed. This is not doing the duty related to opposition.
After their enactment, it may result into chaos or failure as there is no proper feedback from members. - Government may miss few valuable suggestions from the members.
- Government enjoys autocratic decisions as opposition cannot provide deterrence to it.
Suggestions to increase qualitative debates in Assemblies and Parliament
- News channels should broadcast whenever there is an important discussion or businesses like speaker election, President's speech and can broadcast after the Assembly is over as bits rather than total live programme.
- There should be releasing of the data of activities for once a year with full information. They should be made online. It should be member wise and their attendance is to be provided.
- There should be honour for the member who raises good topics and fight for it as per the rules. This enables have competitive spirit and help members contribute more.
Conclusion
The decreasing trend of debates in parliament is not a good issue related to democracy. It is to fulfil their part of duty to take part in the debate and provide the beneficial suggestions and constructive criticism. The opposition should not keep quiet on the issues and should help through providing feedback. There is necessity to encourage the members of parliament and Assemblies to make them take part in debate.