Question #
To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?
Answer by Chad #
In my view, the Indian Parliament has the potential to ensure accountability of the executive, but its effectiveness in doing so has been limited to some extent. There are several factors that contribute to this limitation:
1. Majority government: In India, the executive usually holds a majority in the Parliament, which can make it difficult for the opposition to hold the government accountable. The ruling party often has more control over decision-making and can influence parliamentary procedures, reducing the efficacy of accountability mechanisms.
2. Whip system: The whip system in the Parliament, where party discipline is enforced, can stifle dissent and limit the ability of members to act independently. This can hinder effective scrutiny and questioning of the executive's actions.
3. Lack of specialized knowledge: Parliamentarians may not always possess the expertise or technical understanding to effectively scrutinize complex policy issues or hold the executive accountable in a substantive manner. This can lead to a superficial examination of government actions.
4. Inadequate time for debate: Parliament sessions often witness disruptions, adjournments, and time constraints, which impact the quality and depth of debates. This restricts the ability to thoroughly examine the executive's decisions and hold them accountable.
5. Incomplete legislative oversight: The Parliament's oversight of the executive is primarily limited to question hour, debates, and committees. However, these mechanisms are not always utilized to their full potential, leading to a limited scope of scrutiny and accountability.
Despite these limitations, the Indian Parliament still plays a vital role in ensuring accountability of the executive to some extent. It provides a platform for opposition parties to raise concerns, ask questions, and hold the government accountable through debates, discussions, and parliamentary committees. Additionally, media coverage of parliamentary proceedings can also contribute to public scrutiny of the executive's actions.
However, to enhance the accountability of the executive, the Parliament could benefit from reforms that strengthen legislative oversight, increase the participation of subject experts, ensure better utilization of committee mechanisms, and limit disruptions during sessions.