What Happened
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed anguish over the declining dignity and decorum in legislatures across India, describing planned disruptions as harmful to democracy.
- Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh echoed similar concerns at a legislative conference, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue over disruptive tactics.
- The Speaker stated: "We must strengthen the culture of Discussion and Dialogue, not Disruption."
- Speaker Birla announced the creation of a National Legislative Index to benchmark and improve legislative performance across states, with a proposal mandating a minimum of 30 annual sittings for state assemblies.
- The appeal came ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, urging all parties to ensure smooth functioning.
Static Topic Bridges
Constitutional Provisions on Presiding Officers
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are constitutional functionaries entrusted with maintaining order and conducting proceedings in their respective Houses. The Speaker is elected under Article 93, while the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected under Article 89(1). The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha under Article 64.
- Article 93: The Lok Sabha shall choose two members to be Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
- Article 94: The Speaker or Deputy Speaker vacates office on ceasing to be a member, by resignation, or by removal through a resolution passed by a majority of all then members of the House (effective majority), with 14 days' notice required.
- Article 89: The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; the Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members.
- Article 100: The Speaker has no vote in the first instance but exercises a casting vote in case of a tie.
- Article 110: The Speaker certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill, and the decision is final.
- The Speaker's powers under Rules of Procedure include: admitting notices, suspending members (Rule 374), and naming members for persistent disorderly conduct (Rule 374A).
Connection to this news: Both presiding officers are constitutionally empowered to maintain order. Speaker Birla's concerns highlight the tension between their authority to enforce discipline and the political dynamics that lead to disruptions, which existing rules have been insufficient to prevent.
Declining Parliamentary Productivity
Parliamentary productivity in India has been on a sustained decline over the decades. The average number of sitting days has dropped from approximately 130 days per year during the first Lok Sabha (1952-57) to around 55-70 days in recent Lok Sabhas. Significant time is lost to disruptions, reducing the time available for legislative scrutiny, debate, and executive accountability.
- The 17th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) sat for 274 sittings over five years, with productivity at 47%, the lowest in recent history.
- Approximately 387 hours were lost to disruptions during the 17th Lok Sabha.
- The 2023 Monsoon Session saw just 18% productivity in Lok Sabha and 28% in Rajya Sabha.
- Budget debate hours have declined from 123 hours in 1990 to approximately 12 hours in 2023.
- Only 16% of bills in the 17th Lok Sabha were referred to parliamentary committees, the lowest in four Lok Sabhas.
- Comparatively, the UK Parliament sits for 150-170 days annually and the US Congress for approximately 260 days.
- The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC, 2002) recommended a minimum of 120 sitting days for Lok Sabha and 100 for Rajya Sabha per year.
Connection to this news: The Speaker's proposal for a National Legislative Index and a mandated minimum of 30 annual sittings for state assemblies is a direct response to this long-term decline, attempting to create accountability mechanisms for legislative productivity.
Parliamentary Privilege and Rules of Procedure
Parliamentary privilege refers to the special rights, immunities, and exemptions enjoyed by members and Houses of Parliament to ensure they can perform their functions without obstruction. Article 105 grants members freedom of speech in Parliament, and no member is liable to proceedings in any court for anything said or any vote given in Parliament. However, this privilege does not extend to disorderly conduct.
- Article 105(1): Freedom of speech in Parliament, subject to the Constitution and Rules of Procedure.
- Article 105(3): Parliament may define its privileges by law; until codified, privileges are those enjoyed at the commencement of Section 15 of the Constitution (44th Amendment, 1978).
- Rule 373 (Lok Sabha): The Speaker may direct a member whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately.
- Rule 374: The Speaker may name a member who disregards authority, and the House may resolve to suspend the member for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
- Rule 374A (introduced 2001): Allows automatic suspension for five consecutive sittings or remainder of session for members entering the Well of the House or obstructing proceedings.
- India has not codified parliamentary privileges into a comprehensive statute, unlike the UK Parliamentary Standards Act, 2009.
Connection to this news: Despite existing rules allowing suspension of disruptive members, presiding officers have often been reluctant to invoke them due to political considerations. The Speaker's public appeal reflects the limitations of procedural tools alone in addressing a culture of disruption.
Key Facts & Data
- Article 93: Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
- Article 94: Removal of Speaker requires effective majority with 14 days' notice.
- Article 89: Vice-President as ex-officio Chairman; Rajya Sabha elects Deputy Chairman.
- 17th Lok Sabha productivity: 47% (lowest in recent history), 387 hours lost to disruptions.
- Average sitting days: ~130/year in 1st Lok Sabha vs. ~55-70/year in recent Lok Sabhas.
- Only 16% of bills referred to committees in 17th Lok Sabha.
- Rule 374A (2001): Automatic suspension for members entering the Well of the House.
- NCRWC (2002) recommended minimum 120 sittings for Lok Sabha, 100 for Rajya Sabha annually.
- UK Parliament: 150-170 sitting days/year; US Congress: ~260 days/year.