QUE. “A functioning Parliament is a prerequisite for effective governance.” Discuss the role of parliamentary debates in ensuring accountability and transparency in Indian democracy in the light of this statement.

A functioning Parliament is crucial for effective governance, serving as a legislative body that ensures accountability and addresses national issues through debates. Parliament is often referred to as the “temple of democracy”.

• A functioning parliament is a prerequisite for effective governance

• Ensuring law-making and policy-making: A functioning parliament is important for law-making and for addressing socio-economic challenges through debates and informed decisions. For example, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was successfully passed after extensive debate in Parliament, which helped in streamlining India’s tax system.

• Acts as a check on the executive: This GK work ensures accountable governance by holding the executive accountable through Parliament questions, motions and scrutiny. For example, the government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis

• Promotes representation of people’s aspirations: Parliament reflects the will of the people by providing a platform for diverse voices and regional concerns. For example, policies like Ayushman Bharat

• Facilitates policy scrutiny and monitoring: Parliament through committees ensures that policies and schemes are closely monitored and implemented as intended.

• Role of parliamentary debates in ensuring accountability in Indian democracy

• Parliamentary debates provide a forum for scrutinising government policies, ensuring that the executive is accountable for its actions.

• Opposition members take advantage of the debate to challenge government decisions and demand clarification. For example: The Adani-Hindenburg controversy was debated in Parliament, in which regulatory oversight was questioned.

• Parliamentary debates help in questioning government expenditure, ensuring fiscal accountability. Parliamentary debates support the democratic integrity of the country by providing a platform for diverse opinions and critical evaluation. For example, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

• Role of Parliamentary Debates in Ensuring Transparency in Indian Democracy

• Ministers should give detailed explanations about policies and decisions, so that government functioning becomes transparent. For example: The debate on the Data Protection Act 2023 clarified its provisions and implications for privacy.

• Parliamentary debates reveal the intentions behind government policies, ensuring that the public is informed.

• Open debates on crucial issues increase public confidence in government actions by ensuring that decisions are not made behind closed doors.

• Discussions encourage review and revision of policies that may not be transparent or effective, leading to better governance. For example, discussions on the National Education Policy (NEP) led to the policy being made more inclusive and transparent.

A well-functioning legislature is vital to the prosperity and stability of any nation. The quality of debate and decisions taken in such an institution directly impacts the lives of its citizens. The importance of 3D – Debate, Discussion and Deliberation is crucial in the parliamentary form of government, as it allows for diverse perspectives to be heard, promotes informed decision-making and ensures accountability.