State’s MLAs are seldom at ‘home’

Consider this: In its first three years,the current legislature had only 52 sittings — 20 in 2007,followed by 16 each in 2008 and 2009.

This decline seems to be a secular trend,with the number of sittings sliding over successive terms. In its 1997-2002 term,the Vidhan Sabha met only 95 times — a decline of 21 per cent over 1992-97. In 2002-07,the number fell further to 81 — a decline of 15 per cent over the previous term.

Glory days

But there was a time when MLAs in Punjab were enthusiastic parliamentarians. The very first Vidhan Sabha of the state met 202 times between 1952 and 1957 — an average of 40 days per year. A study by BS Dhillon of Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA),shows the number of sittings increased appreciably over the next two terms of the House. The second Vidhan Sabha (1957 to 1962) spent 215 days in the house — an average of 43 sittings per year. The third Vidhan Sabha (1962-67) took the average up further to 50 with 253 sittings over five years.

The years from 1967 to 1972 saw coalition governments come and go,so the number of House sittings dwindled,but the trend reversed during 1972-77 before going into free fall with the onset of the militancy era in the ’80s.

Amidst the general decline in the number of House sittings,the study points out,Budget Sessions have also been neglected. For instance,from 1952 to 1967,Budget sessions in the state lasted from two to two-and-a-half months. Even the discussion on the governor’s speech took four days while five days were reserved for general discussions. After that,another eight days were spent on discussing passage of grants. Thus,about two weeks were set aside for discussing the budget then. That gave members ample time to speak and the era is remembered for good orators.

However,these days,the discussion on the governor’s address is wrapped up in three days while three days each take care of the budgetary discussion and passing of grants.

Poor showing

The study shows that the Vidhan Sabhas of many other states still have a vibrant parliamentary culture.

For instance,West Bengal had 239 House sittings in the last term,Andhra Pradesh had 254 while Bihar had 173. Even strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir managed 188 sittings in five years,averaging 37 per year,which is close to the prescribed 40 days in a year.

While Punjab Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon declined to comment on the sharp decline in House sittings,former Chief Minister and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh said,“The Akalis are trying to run away from debate on vital issues of the state’s economy and law and order in the Vidhan Sabha,that is why during their tenure the sittings are less. During our government,the sittings were more.”

Shiromani Akali Dal President and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said,“The duration of the Assembly session depends on the business at its disposal. The forthcoming budget session,for example,is for about three weeks — enough for issues to be discussed constructively. And of course,any session can be extended with the approval of the House.”

BS Dhillon said,“The sittings are getting fewer session by session as political parties do not want long debates in the house. The reason is that they do not have good speakers (MLAs) who can speak and debate and who come prepared on issues.”

Dr Pramod Kumar,Director of Institute for Development and Communication,said,“It is not merely the meetings of the Assembly that should be held for a longer duration but also legislative business should be carried out and pro-people issues should be taken up.”