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Context: The evolving dynamics of the Indian Parliament highlight shifting priorities and engagement, emphasising the need for revitalised legislative participation and constructive debates for accountability.

Shifting Ministerial Focus

• Healthcare and Agriculture Gain Prominence: Questions directed towards the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare have seen a significant rise. This indicates a growing focus on these crucial sectors, interestingly; healthcare scrutiny even predates the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Declining Interest in Security and Finance: There's been a concerning decline in questions related to the Ministry of Home Affairs (national security, internal affairs) and Finance Ministry. This raises questions about whether these vital areas receive adequate parliamentary attention.

Possible Reasons for Shifting Focus

• Public Concerns: The rise of healthcare and agriculture questions might reflect growing public anxieties about these issues.
• Political Priorities: The decline in security and finance questions could be due to a shift in the ruling party's agenda or a lack of strong opposition challenge.

Education under Scrutiny

• Education remains a top ministry facing questions, reflecting its continued importance. However, a worrying trend is the increasing number of disallowed questions related to education. This might indicate limitations in the way these questions are framed or a stricter approach by the authorities.

Rise of Zero Hour

• Increased Usage: Lawmakers are resorting more and more to Zero Hour, a mechanism to raise pressing issues without prior notice. This suggests a desire for quicker intervention on urgent matters.
• Limitations of Zero Hour: While popular, Zero Hour discussions are often brief and lack in-depth analysis. This necessitates utilising other debate mechanisms like "Half-an-Hour Discussions" that allow for deeper exploration of issues.

Zero Hour ●An informal practice, not mentioned in the constitution or rulebook. ●Starts right after "Question Hour" and lasts until the day's proceedings end. ●Allows MPs to raise issues of urgent public importance without prior notice. ●The Speaker/Chairman has the discretion to accept or reject the raised issues. ●In Lok Sabha, Zero Hour is allocated 30 minutes with 3 minutes per MP.

The Call for a More Effective Parliament

• Lawmakers need to actively utilise various debate mechanisms like "Calling Attention" motions and "Short Duration Discussions" to foster constructive debates and explore issues thoroughly.
• The Parliament should hold the government more accountable by raising privilege motions against misleading statements and fully utilising opportunities for scrutiny.
• All policies and discussions should prioritise the welfare of the nation and its citizens.

Conclusion

• The Indian Parliament is undergoing a period of change. While some positive trends like increased focus on healthcare and active use of Zero Hour emerge, there are also concerns about declining interest in critical areas and missed opportunities for oversight. A more engaged Parliament with revitalised debate and stronger scrutiny is essential to address national priorities and ensure the well-being of the people.

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Source:

The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The Indian Parliament aims to represent the diverse population. However, concerns exist regarding the representation of marginalised communities and the dominance of political dynasties. How can India's electoral system be reformed to ensure a Parliament that truly reflects the will of the people and provides a platform for diverse voices, particularly from underrepresented groups?