Resolving the Parliament Logjam - Inputs
Let me begin suggesting the Council of Ministers have to consider the mandate given by the people of India for bringing decisive change in the way of governance of this country which applies to Parliament too. The Government have to change the methodology to allow opposition to support the allegations before any discussions are asked in the Parliament. Legislation s that are in the National Interest have to be prioritized and threadbare debated and approved and the opposition should be asked to frame their views / objections / suggestions well in advance of the Session & the Speaker can allocate time for discussion to elicit the views of both Ruling party & other parties and put to vote where needed. No political party should be allowed to move into the well of the house and the Marshals should be asked to remove any hurdles placed in the smooth functioning of the Parliament. If other political parties have issues to be addressed by the Parliament in session, they should be allowed to frame the Agenda and it can be taken up on dates mutually agreed to by the Ruling party and the opposition members. This way there will be two distinct approach - one by the Government to pass important Legislations. When they are listed no party should be allowed to stall the Parliament on any other issues. We are a parliamentary democracy , but based on past experiences we have to modify and evolve procedures by which no political party should be allowed to stall the proceedings. If the MPs become unruly, they should be taken out of the house so that listed topics of the day are not compromised.
It is high time disciplinary guidelines are issued and strictly followed not to waste the time of the Parliament. As regards the important legislations which could not be taken up the Government & our Respected PM should call for a special session to get them paased in the national interest
V.Seshadri
Bangalore