No policy paralysis, we have been pro-active: Govt

New Delhi: Disputing the argument of “policy paralysis”, the government today came out with a list of legislative proposals to insist that it had been “pro-active” and “business-like” with the complaint that these remained unfilled because of lack of support in Parliament. Against the backdrop of attack by the industry, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal addressed a press conference here to state that the government had wanted “far-reaching” and “seminal legislative measures” in different areas, especially in the crucial areas of finance and business, education and anti-corruption. [caption id=“attachment_180465” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“P Chidambaram and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal addressed a press conference. AFP”] [/caption] “The argument that there is a ‘paralysis’ that has gripped the government is an argument that is patently incorrect, untenable and absurd. The list of legislative proposals given above will conclusively establish that the government has been proactive, business-like and keen to get the necessary laws on the statute book,” he said. At the same time, he noted that in the system of Parliamentary democracy, all executive action has to be supported by law. “Government can make plans, government can draw up schemes. However, plans and schemes have to be supported by laws that contain provisions for funding, administration and enforcement,” he said, adding “Hence, in most cases, executive action will remain incomplete unless it is supported by legislation.” Among the 26 legislative proposals cited were the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, the Public Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill. “The unfortunate story of last few sessions of Parliament is that Parliament has not been able to pass the laws that were brought by the government for Parliament’s consideration,” Chidambaram said. “We think that it is time for reflection by all political parties that are presented in Parliament and that believe in the Parliamentary forum of democracy,” he said. Maintaining that there are three broad areas where government’s proposals for legislative measures have remained either partially fulfilled or stalled, the Home Minister said there were six anti-corruption bills of which only the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill and the Whistleblowers Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha and are now before the Rajya Sabha. One Bill has been reported by the Standing Committee and other bills are with Standing Committee, he said. The Home Minister said, of the nine education Bills, only four Bills have been passed by the Lok Sabha and are pending before Rajya Sabha. “All other Bills are at different stages either before the Standing Committee or after the Standing Committee has reported on the Bill,” he said. Referring to 11 Finance and Business Bills, Chidambaram said none was passed either in Lok Sabha or in Rajya Sabha. “All the Bills are pending at different stages of consideration, some before the Standing Committee and some after the reports of the Standing Committee,” he said. PTI