Continuing my previous post on electoral and parliamentary reforms,
It is imperative that each MP be asked to maintain a formal office in his constituency and be available at least 7 days in a month to enable those who have voted him to power to meet him and give ideas and suggestions for improving the overall life in the constituency. Initially, people will come forward with only grievances, but over a period of time this shall become a forum for peoples participation in the development agenda for the constituency. In the modern age where technology runs roost, even if the MP cannot be physically present for these meetings for some reason (though I cannot understand why he cant be in his home constituency 7 days a month), he can still interact with his voters through video conferencing. Government can bear the expenses for maintaining official MP offices in each constituency. It will be worth it.
The most ridiculous thing of the elections is that it is spread over 45 days. In an era of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), which was expected to expedite the voting and counting process, we have the hilarious situation of people having to wait for eons to know who has been elected. The elections have to be held all over India on a single day - period full stop. There should not be any other discussions on this. So many things can change in this dynamic world over 45 days. Remember when Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated half way through the 1991 elections. It created a sympathy wave which resulted in Congress coming back to power. This is unfair. The ostnable reason that Central forces have to be deployed for elections to ensure free and fair polling do not hold water. Not all constituencies are sensitive. In fact majority of the constituencies are peaceful. EC can identify those sensitive constituencies and deploy para military or even the Army to ensure orderly polling. Also, EC and the Supreme Court can set up fast track courts to punish those individuals and parties indulging in Electoral malpractices. They have to give exeplary punishment that will serve as a deterrant to those who capture booths or terrorise voters.
The next one is a little more controversial. The upper house- Rajya Sabha- has to be dissolved. Most of the States, who had similiar arrangements, Legislative Councils - have long since disbanded these Councils. Why not Rajya Sabha? It serves only as a tool to push in cronies of the political parties bosses and today more of a backdoor entry into the parliament for those who have been rejected by the people or those who are afraid to face the people. We had the ridiculous situation of the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Defence Minister and the Home Minister (for the most part) of the current Government taking the Rajya Sabha route. And that is 4 out of the top 5 ministers. This is absurd. It came to such a situation that the PM couldnt be censured in the Loksabha for breach of priviliege in the Nuclear Deal as 'he was not a member of the Lok Sabha'. How can one ensure accountability if the Lok Sabha cannot even query a Minister? Rajya Sabha has to go. I am aware that there are nominated members of the Rajya Sabha from different fields like Education, business, sports, arts etc, though their performance has been patchy to say the least. They can be accommodated as independant consultants for various parliamentary committees dealing with subjects of their areas of competence. Till Rajya Sabha is disbanded, a legislation can be brought saying those who are members of Rajya Sabha has to resign PRIOR to filing nominations for the Lok Sabha elections, and those who have failed in the elections for Lok Sabha SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE RAJYA SABHA DURING THE TENURE OF THAT LOK SABHA..................to be contd...........
