Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
2. Explain the importance of parliamentary accountability of the executive and various mechanisms in the constitution to ensure it. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The Monsoon Session of the Indian Parliament in 2021 saw the Lok Sabha clearing over 18 bills with about 34 minutes of discussion for each. The Essential Defence Services Bill (2021), enabling the government to prohibit strikes, lockouts and lay-offs in units in the defence industry, saw 12 minutes of debate in the Lok Sabha, while the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill (2021) had just five minutes of debate (PRS India, 2021). Not one bill was referred to a parliamentary committee.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of parliamentary accountability and various mechanisms to ensure it.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define parliamentary accountability.
Body:
First, write about the importance of parliamentary accountability for a democracy – checks and balances, preventing authoritarian tendencies, ensuring welfare and avoiding corruption etc.
Next, write about the various methods mentioned in the constitution to ensure parliamentary accountability of the executive.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward to uphold and promote parliamentary accountability of the executive.
