Content:
- Reviving a far-sighted but forgotten Bill mechanism
- China’s strategic push — Asia ties amid tariff tensions
Reviving a far-sighted but forgotten Bill mechanism
What are Private Member’s Bills (PMBs)?
- PMBs are legislative proposals by MPs who are not Ministers, allowing them to introduce bills independently.
- They reflect personal, constituency-level, or emerging social concerns, separate from the government’s legislative agenda.
- Typically discussed on Fridays, but this time is often overridden by disruptions or government business.
Relevance : GS2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity)
Practice Question : Discuss the significance of Private Member’s Bills (PMBs) in Indian Parliament. Evaluate the reasons for their neglect and suggest reforms to revive this mechanism to ensure a more inclusive and participatory legislative process.(250 Words)
Current State of PMBs: Symbolic, Neglected
- Only 14 PMBs passed since Independence, none clearing both Houses since 1970.
- 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24):
- 729 PMBs in Lok Sabha; only 2 discussed.
- 705 in Rajya Sabha; 14 discussed.
- 18th Lok Sabha (till 2024 sessions):
- 64 PMBs introduced, none discussed.
- Rajya Sabha: out of 82 listed, 49 introduced, only 1 began discussion before adjournment.
Notable Contributions from PMBs
- Supriya Sule’s “Right to Disconnect” Bill (2019):
- Aimed at regulating after-hours work communication.
- Though not passed, it sparked national dialogue on mental health and work-life balance.
- Tiruchi Siva’s “Rights of Transgender Persons Bill” (2014):
- Passed in Rajya Sabha; not in Lok Sabha.
- Catalyst for Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
- Gopal Shetty (BJP MP): PMB for free healthcare for senior citizens shows even ruling MPs can use PMBs to raise issues outside party lines.
Shrinking Space for Independent Legislative Action
- Anti-Defection Law (52nd Constitutional Amendment) restricts MPs’ freedom to act against party lines.
- PMBs remain one of the last non-partisan platforms for MPs to introduce meaningful legislation.
- Voters elect MPs also based on personal merit, not just party — PMBs enable them to represent local voices and concerns.
Proposed Reforms
- Safeguard PMB Time:
- Amend procedural rules to ensure Fridays remain exclusive for PMBs, except during national emergencies.
- Create a PMB Review Committee:
- Screen Bills for quality, relevance, and constitutionality.
- Recommend priority listing for discussion based on public importance.
- Increase Parliamentary Working Hours:
- Avoid encroaching upon PMB time by extending total hours instead.
- Adopt UK-style Ten-Minute Rule:
- MPs present PMBs in short speeches (10 min) with equal time for opposition — improves exposure without consuming entire Fridays.
Conclusion
- PMBs offer a democratic, decentralised channel for legislative innovation.
- As Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar remarked, PMBs are a “gold mine” — their revival is essential to strengthen India’s deliberative democracy.
China’s strategic push — Asia ties amid tariff tensions
Contextual Background
- China faces 145% tariffs on exports imposed by the Trump administration.
- In response, Beijing is recalibrating its external economic engagements, especially with nearby Southeast Asian nations.
- Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia (April 14–18, 2025) is part of this strategy.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Practice Question : China’s recent diplomatic outreach in Southeast Asia amid escalating tariff tensions is more than symbolic. Analyze the strategic objectives and implications of Xi Jinping’s April 2025 tour for regional order and global power dynamics.(250 Words)
Strategic Objectives of Xi’s Tour
- Project China as a reliable and stable economic partner amid global trade tensions.
- Counter the U.S. containment narrative by emphasizing multilateralism and non-coercion.
- Use regional diplomacy to enhance China’s image and consolidate influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Themes of the Visit
- Economic Diplomacy:
- Vietnam: 45 cooperation agreements signed.
- Malaysia: Over 30 deals in digital economy, AI, agriculture, infrastructure.
- Cambodia: Highlighted the $15+ billion bilateral trade and the Funan Techo Canal project.
- Soft Power and Normative Appeal:
- Promotion of a South China Sea Code of Conduct.
- Cultural linkages and BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) pushed as regional public goods.
- Framing China’s model as non-interventionist, contrasting with U.S. ideological imposition.
Geopolitical Significance
- Southeast Asia as buffer and bridge:
- Offers China alternative trade/manufacturing routes amid U.S. decoupling.
- Serves as a diplomatic base to challenge Western containment efforts.
- Countering U.S. Strategy:
- The U.S.’s Indo-Pacific strategy is seen as militaristic and reactive.
- China’s offer includes tangible deliverables (infrastructure, trade, AI collaboration), where U.S. initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework fall short (lacking market access).
Country-Specific Nuances
- Vietnam: Skeptical due to South China Sea tensions; China aims to reassure and integrate further economically.
- Malaysia: Emphasis on peaceful dispute resolution and BRI cooperation to maintain strategic neutrality.
- Cambodia: Already a strong ally; China reiterates its economic and political support.
Implications
- Regional alignment dynamics may tilt further towards China.
- Challenges U.S. ability to build a coalition for economic decoupling from China.
- Long-term influence-building through economic interdependence and rule-shaping.
Domestic Signaling in China
- Portrays Xi’s leadership as internationally respected and engaged, despite Western pressure.
- Offsets internal concerns over economic slowdown and diplomatic tensions with the West.
Conclusion
- Xi’s move represents a calculated challenge to the U.S.-led liberal order, especially in a multipolar, de-risking world.
- The key question: How receptive will ASEAN be, given China’s own assertiveness?
