Parliament is the forum where laws are debated and passed, policies are scrutinized, and the voice of the people is represented. It needs to act as a check on the government to ensure it follows the Constitution, laws, and established rules. Currently, the institution faces a crisis of credibility, as citizens lose faith and become frustrated with how it functions. Empty benches, noisy disruptions, displaying placards, smoking e-cigarettes, entering the well, poor-quality debates, and the hurried passing of bills amid uproar have eroded public trust. Urgent reforms are necessary to restore its credibility and effectiveness and to rebuild Parliament as the temple or heart of democracy.
The cost of operating Parliament is estimated at Rs 2.50 lakh per minute; if it fails to operate properly, public money is wasted. The most glaring problem is absenteeism. Very often, senior, and prominent members, irrespective of the parties they belong to, are missing from debates, leaving critical discussions to a handful of participants – sometimes only those listed as speakers are present. This is an act of misuse of democracy. Attendance must be made visible and enforceable. A simple way to do it could be to display the number of members present, along with their names, on the chamber screen during live telecasts. It is the right of the voters to know whether their elected representatives are fulfilling their duty and attending Parliament regularly.
Bills should be passed when there is a stipulated Quorum in the House. Financial incentives such as daily allowances and perks could be conditional on attendance. Chronic absenteeism without a valid reason must carry serious consequences, such as being barred from attending the rest of the session and disqualified from contesting the next election, etc. After all, public office is a responsibility, not a privilege. Attendance alone is not enough; the quality of debate must improve. Mostly, discussions are reduced to political point scoring, with members of the ruling parties supporting, and the Opposition criticising instead of giving constructive suggestions and opposing whatever the government proposes. Senior leaders and ministers should be mandated to attend and contribute to debates on major legislation. Speaking time should be strictly enforced, and defaulters fined. Parliamentary committees must consult subject experts before approving bills, so that laws are shaped by facts and knowledge rather than political bias.
Some members speak in regional languages during parliamentary proceedings, making it difficult for most viewers to follow live telecasts. It is therefore desirable that those proficient in Hindi or English use these languages, as this not only ensures clear understanding but also allows the members’ views to be appreciated both by colleagues in the House and by the public watching on television. Parliamentary discipline has deteriorated in recent years, with frequent walkouts, shouting, cross-talk, personal comments directed at colleagues, and the display of placards before television cameras. The recent trend has been to obstruct even the speech of the President of India and the budget speech by the Finance Minister, which is highly unethical.
Using mobile phones during proceedings further erodes the seriousness of debate and is unacceptable in a forum requiring dignity and discipline. Their attention must be on legislative business. To restore credibility, a stronger and enforceable code of conduct is required. Penalties must be imposed on those who indulge in unruly behaviour. To protect public trust, MPs could refrain from voting on matters that affect their personal interests, which could help restore decorum, integrity, and trust in parliamentary proceedings. Parliament could b e made transparent , discipline d, and accountable with the help of modern technology. An e-Parliament system could be introduced, providing public access to information about attendance, punishments, and speeches of the MPs. AI-powered monitoring could track the participation and contribution of the MPs to evaluate their performance.
A feedback mechanism could also be incorporated to rate the usefulness of debates by voters. This would shift the focus of MPs from mere electoral popularity to actual legislative effectiveness. Beyond behaviour and technology, structural reforms are essential. In the early decades (1950s-60s), Parliament sat for 120-135 days annually. In recent years, sittings have reduced to around 55-70 days per year. PRS Legislative Research and former Speakers have recommended a minimum of 120 sitting days, which could be adopted, to ensure adequate time for debate and legislation. The Speaker should have the authority to enforce discipline in the House. These reforms are not about punishing MPs, but about restoring the dignity and decorum of the Parliament. Citizens want their representatives to attend sessions, debate responsibly, and pass laws that benefit people.
The entire democratic system loses credibility when Parliament functions chaotically. It can be restored by enforcing attendance, improving debate quality, strengthening ethics, embracing technology, and maintaining structural discipline. Democracy is not just about elections; it is more about responsible representation. An MP’s role does not end with winning votes – it begins there with the responsibility of shaping laws and policies. Therefore, reforms in parliamentary functioning are not optional; they are essential for the survival of democracy itself.
(The writer is a retired Scientist, CISR.)