Congress leader and chairperson of the parliamentary committee on home affairs, Anand Sharma, tells Preetha Nair that it’s unfortunate that the central government is not letting the parliamentary standing committees function. Excerpts from the interview:
Why do you think it’s imperative to convene a Parliament session now?
In these challenging times, people expect their elected representatives to take up issues that need urgent attention. The pandemic is an unprecedented crisis. It is important that all the decisions of the government are scrutinised by Parliament as that is what the Constitution stipulates. If required, the MPs can also make suggestions for the government to consider. Therefore, it’s a matter of concern that the government is evading parliamentary scrutiny altogether. The PM was urged by opposition leaders individually and collectively to take the nation into confidence, and to brief the leadership of the political parties. We have taken it up through the defence minister and conveyed to the government that they need to brief us. They said they will do it at the appropriate time. The country and the parties stand united on national security and territorial integrity. It would strengthen any government when there is a national consensus and resolve. They should consider it and find ways to convene Parliament and inform us.
After all, the British parliament functioned during World War II. Even now it’s functioning. In 43 countries, parliaments and parliamentary committees have been meeting. In the US, both the Senate committee and the House committee have been meeting physically to approve stimulus packages. Now in Britain, the PM’s cabinet and the shadow cabinet that is the Opposition are physically present inside the House of Commons. And the other MPs are virtually connected. So why are these things not happening in India? It’s very sad that parliamentary committees have not been allowed to meet even though India is the largest democracy.
The parliamentary committee on home affairs was scheduled to meet on June 3. Why was it cancelled?
I have convened it and sent letters twice. We have been denied permission on the ground that MPs cannot be connected to a virtual platform. It’s very unfortunate and they cannot say confidentiality clauses have been invoked. The PM can have meetings with the heads of state or chief ministers and opposition leaders. The defence minister and home minister can have meetings with army commanders. As the PM is conducting meeting through the portal developed by National Informatics Centre, we are also asking for that. If they are still saying confidentiality will be lost, it’s casting aspersion on the members of the committee.
Why should the standing committees function?
Standing committees are very important. It is through them that Parliament really functions. When it is not in session, Parliament continues to work through the standing committees. They scrutinise bills, important decisions, subjects are taken up and reports are given to both the Houses…. This government is deliberately evading parliamentary scrutiny and accountability.
The government made some important decisions to open up the coal mining, space travel and nuclear sectors to private parties, and to allow 74 per cent FDI in defence manufacturing.…
It’s an extraordinary crisis, but an abnormal situation has been created for parliamentary democracy in India. The opposition parties will have to make a collective effort and the government must listen to us because it’s a damage that has been inflicted deliberately on the institution.