CPI leader for parliamentary reforms

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja Wednesday called for effective parliamentary and constitutional reforms to strengthen parliamentary democracy in the country.

Participating in a discussion organised by Observer Research Foundation and The Hindu College of Delhi University, Raja said it was a shame that parliament worked less than 100 days a year when there was so much to do.

He also stressed the need for equipping MPs with necessary and effective support systems so that they could work more effectively to cater to the increasing aspirations of the people.

Tracing the history of coalition governments in India, Raja said he did not think coalition governments affected the efficiency and effectiveness of the governance structures.

But Manish Tewari, MP and Congress spokesperson, said the lack of absolute majority for a single government was having its impact on decision making.

He suggested the time had come for a debate on the issue.

Former Home secretary G.K. Pillai regretted that there was a clear lack of direction from the political class to the executive, which he said was strong and efficient enough to implement any decision.

"If the rider is directionless, what can the horse do?" he asked.

Pillai, now RK Mishra Chair at ORF, said as the political class failed to take decisions, the judiciary stepped in to fill the vacuum, and asked the executive to take certain decisions.

He said there was an urgent need to initiate reforms in many spheres, including police reforms. But politicians were not interested in reforms as it would affect them, he said.

Pointing out the increasing crime graph, Pillai said crime rates would only increase in the next two decades.

One reason for this was the increasing aspirations of people to make quick money and then the ineffective criminal judicial system which allowed 90 percent of the criminals go scot free.