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Part of the Central Vista rebuild project is a new Parliament Building - Triangular instead of Lutyens circular design- to house a greatly increased number of MPs.
I think this is a mistake. Not building a new Parliament, expanding the number of MPs.
Part of the Central Vista rebuild project is a new Parliament Building - Triangular instead of Lutyens circular design- to house a greatly increased number of MPs.
I think this is a mistake. Not building a new Parliament, expanding the number of MPs.
This is a solution ion search of a problem, 900 MPs will create an even bigger mess than the present 542, the stench will rise even higher. To define the problem better we need to understand the source of the problem of under-performance of the political system in India
By Underperformance of politics I mean the responsiveness of elected representatives to the perceived needs and concerns of their constituents - esp those from the opposite political persuasion. IMHO the reason for this is the remoteness of New Delhi for most Indian citizens.
The Washington Beltway Bubble and the Westminster Village culture is mirrored in the New Delhi Lutyens Lads atmosphere (and by Lutyens I include the present English-hating desi louts). The trouble is that India is trying to swim against the tide of world trends.
Representative democracy succeeds best when political power; accountability and responsiveness to the electorate; and, decision-making; are all as 'local' as is consistent with democratic consultation and consent of the people. That means states should have MOST of the power.
States should have most of the power to change lives- for better or worse -. These powers should include raising revenues, setting social, education. health welfare policies, employment, law and order, criminal justice, and environmental n infrastructure standards and regulation.
States may choose to delegate these powers down to City and regional levels, that's their choice. Smaller the unit of power the better the governance and responsiveness. So What role for New Delhi? It really needs to concern itself with currency, armed forces and foreign policy
All New Delhi really needs is a Senate to which States nominate 3-5 Senators each to represent the interests of the States. Why should small states have the same representation as the larger states? Because we dont want the large states to swamp the smaller ones.
If large states want greater influence over the Centre they can always break themselves up into smaller states. As I said smaller states promote better governance, more responsiveness and therefore greater welfare. So scrap the plan for a new Parliament with seats for 900 MPs.
What India needs is a SMALLER parliament indirectly elected or nominated by the States comprising no more than 150-200 Members.
