Rajasthan's Assembly at 75: Fewer Sittings, Weaker Accountability

Question (10 marks, ~150 words):

A legislature that meets less often scrutinises less. In the context of falling sittings of state assemblies, discuss the measures needed to strengthen legislative accountability.

Introduction:

• The Rajasthan Assembly's 75-year Amrit Mahotsav coincides with a fall in sittings from 303 (1952) to around 147, raising concerns about legislative accountability.

Why sittings matter:

• The legislature scrutinises the budget, makes laws and holds the executive to account — all weakened when the House meets less.
• Bills passed with little debate or committee review invite poor drafting and litigation.
• A thin calendar shifts effective power to the bureaucracy.

Counter-view:

• Some argue committee work and quality of debate matter more than raw sitting days — valid only if committees are genuinely strong.

Way forward:

• Legislate a minimum number of annual sitting days (as several states and the NCRWC recommended).
• Strengthen departmentally related standing committees to vet Bills pre-passage.
• Ensure open, televised proceedings and a protected question hour.

Conclusion:

• The best tribute to a 75-year-old House is not ceremony but a calendar and committee system that make it debate hard and answer to the people.