Private Member’s Bills
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Polity
Source: TH
Context: Private Member’s Bills (PMBs) have witnessed sharp decline in deliberation despite their democratic significance. NHRC, experts, and MPs urge procedural reforms to revive PMBs as tools of legislative innovation and independent expression.
About Private Member’s Bills (PMBs):
• What it is? A Private Member’s Bill is a legislative proposal introduced by an MP who is not a Minister. It reflects individual viewpoints, not necessarily the government’s official agenda.
• A Private Member’s Bill is a legislative proposal introduced by an MP who is not a Minister.
• It reflects individual viewpoints, not necessarily the government’s official agenda.
• Procedure in Parliament: Introduced on Fridays in both Houses as per Rules of Procedure. Follows the same stages as a government bill—first reading, discussion, voting. Can become law if passed in both Houses and gets Presidential assent.
• Introduced on Fridays in both Houses as per Rules of Procedure.
• Follows the same stages as a government bill—first reading, discussion, voting.
• Can become law if passed in both Houses and gets Presidential assent.
Recent Data and Decline: (Source: PRS Legislative Research)
• Only 14 PMBs passed since Independence; none since 1970 passed both Houses.
• 17th Lok Sabha: 729 PMBs introduced (only 2 discussed).
• 18th Lok Sabha (2024): 64 PMBs introduced, zero discussed so far.
• In 2024 Winter Session, Lok Sabha spent just 0.15 hours on PMBs and Rajya Sabha 0.62 hours.
Significance of Private Member’s Bills:
• Encourages Democratic Expression: Enables MPs to propose legislation on personal conviction or constituency needs.
E.g. Supriya Sule’s “Right to Disconnect” Bill (2019).
• Policy Incubator: Often precedes government legislation on sensitive issues.
E.g. Tiruchi Siva’s 2014 Transgender Rights Bill inspired the 2019 Act.
• Platform for Ruling Party MPs: Allows ruling MPs to voice independent views.
E.g. Gopal Shetty’s Bill on healthcare for senior citizens.
• Strengthens Parliamentary Oversight: Fosters deliberative democracy beyond party whip controls.
Reasons for Decline in PMBs:
• Government Priority: Government business overshadows Friday PMB slots.
E.g. Budget discussions replaced PMB sessions in 2024.
• Frequent Disruptions: Adjournments and walkouts truncate scheduled time for PMBs.
E.g. 2 Fridays lost in 2024 Winter Session.
• Anti-Defection Law Impact: MPs often hesitate to challenge party line even in PMBs. Post-52nd Amendment limits dissent.
• MP Disinterest & Timing Issues: Many MPs skip Friday sessions to return to constituencies.
• Chair’s Discretion: Arbitrary scheduling and limited discussion under Speaker’s or Chairman’s control.
E.g. Limited PMB discussion despite full 62-hour session.
Way Forward – Reforms Needed:
• Protect Friday Time for PMBs: Amend rules to make this time non-negotiable, barring national emergencies.
• Midweek Scheduling: Shift PMB discussions to Wednesdays to avoid low attendance.
• Priority Committee for PMBs: Set up an expert review panel to shortlist high-impact Bills for fast-track discussion.
E.g. Inspired by U.K.’s Ten-Minute Rule.
• Extend Working Hours: Parliament may sit longer to accommodate both government and private business.
• Digital Access & Tracking: Introduce online dashboards to track PMBs’ progress and promote transparency.
Conclusion:
Private Member’s Bills are a vital democratic instrument for MPs to reflect public aspirations and challenge dominant narratives. Their erosion reflects a centralised legislative process, undermining deliberative democracy. Reviving and reforming the PMB mechanism is essential to restore participatory law-making in Parliament.
PYQ:
• The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention? (UPSC-2013)