Context : An analysis by PRS Legislative Research highlights minimal time spent on the private bills in the 17th and early 18th Lok Sabha sessions, reflecting an overall lack of engagement with this parliamentary instrument.
Relevance: GS 2 (Polity & Governance)
Time Spent on Private Members’ Bills (2019–2024):
17th Lok Sabha:
- 9.08 hours spent in the Lok Sabha.
- 27.01 hours spent in the Rajya Sabha.
Decline in the 18th Lok Sabha:
Two Sessions:
- 0.15 hours spent on Bills in the Lok Sabha.
- 0.62 hours in the Rajya Sabha.
Significance of Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions:
- Provide a platform for individual MPs to propose legislation and express views independently.
- Used for political messaging (e.g., the 1966 Bill proposing eligibility criteria for the Prime Minister’s post).
- Historical impact: Only 14 Private Members’ Bills have been passed since independence, with none since 1970.
Reasons for Decline:
- Lack of seriousness: MPs often fail to attend sessions where their Bills are listed.
- All-round indifference: Highlighted by Jairam Ramesh, Chief Whip of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha.
Implications:
- Reflects a weakening of parliamentary tools designed for individual expression.
- Represents a missed opportunity for political and legislative innovation.
