Identifying the designated role of Parliament, discuss the consequences of inefficiency in parliamentary functioning in India. Also, suggest some measures for improving the functioning of Parliament.

Parliament is the legislative unit of Indian system. The Constitution has guaranteed certain roles to parliament under Article 79-122. Role of Parliament: (1) Frame laws - It makes laws on issues in central list of schedule 7 and also on concurrent list. (2) Discuss issues of National Importance - current national situation like economic situation due to war in eastern Europe. (3) Check excesses of executive - by no confidence motion, question hour, zero hour and other parliamentary procedures.

Consequences of inefficiency: (1) Passing bills in haste eg Three farm laws which had to be repealed later. Low parliamentary committee scrutiny - Only 27 bills referred to Committee in previous lok sabha (2014-19). (2) Low parliamentary committee scrutiny. (3) Clotting of bills. On an average it took 10 mins per bill in lok sabha and ½ an hour in Rajya sabha in previous session and all bills are passed together. Low no debates and discussions. (4) Weak opposition leads to ex reduced check on executive government. Majoritarian rule without check. (5) Important bills pending like Privacy laws, Protection of Data Bill, etc. (6) Boycott by Opposition - Disturbs procedure.

Measures to improve function: (1) Refer bills to Parliamentary committees for scrutiny. (2) As number of days in each session. Calendar like British Parliament. (3) Educate ministers on parliamentary proceedings and technical know-how. (4) Enhance opposition participation like in UK 20/100 days fixed for opposition. (5) Introduce pre-bills legislative scrutiny so that parliament provide becomes less cumbersome. (6) Virtual meetings - In COVID crisis, everything became digital & efficient.