To improve quality of debates, Speaker Mahajan to have experts train MPs

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is likely to appoint experts to help raise the standard of debates in the lower House. The group will comprise experts, advisers and researchers who can simplify complex issues and explain them to MPs. [caption id=“attachment_2242690” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. PTI[/caption] Speaking to The Indian Express, Mahajan said that at times, some MPs do not find the time to research on topics ahead of a discussion and are therefore unable to express themselves despite having ideas. "… there are so many persons, experts working with ministries, advisers, research scholars. So many of them are working with UN. They can be useful to MPs if the MPs want any help on any topics," Mahajan told The Indian Express, adding that, “experts can elaborate on so many aspects of an issue. Different experts can give different views. I even told the MPs that after such an interaction, you can add your politics in that but at least the basics would be clear”. Organisations like PRS Legislative Research engage with MPs and MLAs often providing in-depth research analysis that help them understand issues better, especially with regard to drafting of legislation0. In 2010, the Constitution Club, set up a bureau of legislative assistants within its premises. According to a Mint report, the primary concerns of the bureau were: first, to arrest the declining standards of parliamentary debate with informed research; and second, to participate in legislative processes better, as voters make greater demands on their leaders. Another organisation Swaniti, helps professionals work with elected officials. “We realised that though many of us wanted to contribute towards better governance in India, there were few entry channels for young Indians to work with elected officials,” founder chair Rwitwika Bhattacharya, told the Economic Times.