IN INTEREST OF FUNCTIONAL DEMOCRACY

After nearly a 70-day lockdown, the Central and state governments have now practically lifted lockdown and curfew rules. The Centre and state governments have once again started focussing attention on governance. But then the biggest problem before them is how to conduct the proceedings of the Parliament and state assemblies.

Parliament and assembly proceedings cannot go very hitech as physical presence and use of lung power is important. As far as the two houses of Parliament Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are concerned, they have a couple of options available for them. They can hold the sessions on alternate days. They have a massive Central Hall which can accommodate 776 members. Hence maintaining social distance if the sessions are held on alternative days is not much of a problem. Even putting into place various safety measures including regular checking of the temperature of officials and MPS through hand-held devices can also be done easily. One of the ways to make Parliament ready for the future session is to go in for a virtual one. The MPS may be allowed to watch the proceedings live and participate in the discussion online. Though this may come with many challenges, it is definitely a considerable option.

Over the last three months, Central and state governments have issued over 5,000 notifications to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The appropriateness of these circulars needs to be examined by Parliament and its committees. In ordinary times, Parliament would have its next session in the second half of July. In today’s extraordinary circumstances, Parliament should meet sooner, perhaps within a couple of weeks. India prides itself on being the world’s largest democracy as well as the information technology provider to the world. It is imperative that Parliament harnesses the country’s IT strengths to buttress our credentials as a performing democracy.

..... RAVI TEJA KATHURIPALLI, via email