VT

Varun TokasAIR 117· 2023

Question Q12GS2GS2

भारत में निजी सदस्यों के विधेयक (प्राइवेट मेंबर बिल) विधायी पहल के एक महत्वपूर्ण साधन हैं। इस प्रवृत्ति के लिए उत्तरदायी कारकों का परीक्षण करें। साथ ही, विधायी प्रक्रिया में निजी सदस्यों की भूमिका को सशक्त बनाने के उपाय भी सुझाएं। || Despite being an important instrument of legislative initiative, Private Member's Bills rarely become laws in India. Examine the factors responsible for this trend. Also, suggest measures to strengthen the role of Private Members in the legislative process. (Answer in 250 words)

Open scan (p.25)

Main Body

Only lesser than 800 Private Member Bills have been passed through Parliament with last being in 2019, undermining legislative function at Parliament.

Reasons:

1Schedule → Hearings are on Friday afternoons when attendance is low in Parliament
2Lack of secretarial staff makes drafting legislation difficult for individual MPs
3Anti-detection laws eliminate dialogue and frequently result in wholesale rejection of policies not in line with ruling party
Ideal disillusionment in Parliament leads to discussion overarching which lead to inadmissible delays in debatesPending laws for more than 5years shall have not been heard.
5Low number of sittings - Parliament only worked 33days in 2021 (vs vs USA's 113 days → Results in backlog in private bills.

Measures to Strengthen Pvt Member Role:

1Shifting hearings to other slots to increase debate and discussion
2Forming Review Committees for Private Bills to filter worthy and relevant bills for earlier discussion
3Making drafts available online for popular response and feedback
Civil's online petition portal can mandate discussions on issue
4Fixing minimum working days for Parliament as per NCRWC recommendation of 120 days
5Establishing fixed periods discussion per Private bill to increase number of Bills reviewed
6Dedicated secretarial staff to ensure good and effective legislatorship.
7Instituting Opposition Days on the UK model to allow opposition to draft and showcase legislation.

Continued measures:

4Fixing minimum working days for Parliament as per NCRWC recommendation of 120 days
5Establishing fixed periods discussion per Private bill to increase number of Bills reviewed
6Dedicated secretarial staff to ensure good and effective legislatorship
7Instituting Opposition Days on the UK model to allow opposition to draft and showcase legislation.

Further continuation of measures:

5Establishing fixed periods discussion per Private bill to increase number of Bills reviewed
6Dedicated secretarial staff to ensure good and effective legislatorship
7Instituting Opposition Days on the UK model to allow opposition to draft and showcase legislation.
326 words6 paragraphs

Conclusion

Private member Bills are a cornerstone of the principle of representation and should be encouraged.

15 words

Examiner score
1.2/10

Open original scan

Page 25

Topper

Varun Tokas

AIR 1172023

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Parliament and State Legislatures - Structure, Functioning, Powers & Privileges

Conduct of Business

Private Member Bills

Writing Stats

341

Total words

6

Paragraphs

Structured analytical with policy recommendations

Tone