Rhetoric 038; reality: Report says House standards declining

The 14th Lok Sabha has lost 26 per cent of its time due to disruptions and walkouts, absenteeism among MPs has been alarmingly high and only 173 of the 539 MPs have actually said anything on legislative issues. Highlighting such indicators of 8220;decline8221; in Parliamentary standards, the Citizen8217;s Report on Governance and Development 2007, compiled by the India chapter of the Social Watch Coalition, also highlights how 40 per cent of the bills have been passed in the Lower House with less than one hour of debate.

The report, which examines the 8220;rhetoric and reality8221; in the functioning of Parliament, the judiciary, policy making and local self government, has distinguished Parliamentarians like Nilotpal Basu and Madhusudan Mistry on its advisory committee.

Criminal backgrounds of MPs, highlighted in last year8217;s report, once gain finds mention in this report. With every minute of Parliament costing the exchequer Rs 26,035, the report finds that time lost due to disruptions over the years has been increasing.

On policy making, the report highlights 8220;the deepening disparities and divides8221; despite an encouraging growth rate. Examining policies such as the National Rural Health Mission, the report finds that the 8220;centralised8221; policies have resulted in funds at the village level being left unutilised.

26: Time lost to disruptions in 14th Lok Sabha

173: MPs who said anything on legislative issues