Parliamentary Groups – UPSC Notes – Indian Polity

Rationale of the Parliamentary Group

The Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) rationale, as eloquently articulated by N.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdher, underscores the significance of fostering relations among national parliaments. While the promotion of inter-parliamentary relations has long been integral to parliamentary work, recent times have seen a renewed emphasis on this endeavor due to heightened global interdependence. In this era, where nations are increasingly interconnected, parliamentarians must unite to uphold democracy and collectively address global challenges, transforming them into opportunities for peace and prosperity. Providing a platform for parliamentarians from diverse backgrounds to convene, discuss common issues, and devise solutions, parliamentary forums facilitate an exchange of ideas. These forums not only foster dialogue between established and emerging parliaments but also encourage interaction among parliamentarians operating under various parliamentary systems. While similar issues may be addressed in inter-governmental conferences, the candid and open discussions characteristic of parliamentary gatherings offer a unique opportunity for legislators to engage in meaningful dialogue.

In today’s interconnected world, inter-parliamentary relations have assumed paramount importance given the multitude of pressing global challenges. The issues confronting one parliament today may very well confront another tomorrow. Hence, it is imperative to establish and maintain strong connections between parliaments worldwide. India fulfills this role by fostering links with foreign parliaments through mechanisms such as the exchange of delegations, goodwill missions, correspondence, and document sharing facilitated by the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG). Serving as both the National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the India Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the IPG plays a crucial role in maintaining these vital connections.

Composition of the Parliamentary Group

The Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) operates as an independent entity, established in 1949 following a motion passed by the Constituent Assembly (Legislative). Membership to the IPG is open to all sitting Members of Parliament, with former parliamentarians eligible to become associate members. However, associate members have limited rights within the Group; they do not have representation at meetings and conferences of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), nor are they entitled to travel concessions provided to full members by certain branches of the CPA.

The President of the IPG is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha by virtue of their position, while the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha serve as the Vice-Presidents ex officio. Additionally, the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha holds the position of Secretary-General ex officio within the Group.

Objectives of the Parliamentary Group

The goals and objectives of the Group are outlined as follows:

1. Foster interpersonal connections among members of the Parliament of India.
2. Investigate matters of public significance anticipated to be raised in Parliament; organize seminars, discussions, and orientation sessions; and produce publications to disseminate information among Group members.
3. Organize lectures addressing political, defense, economic, social, and educational issues delivered by Parliament members and eminent individuals.
4. Coordinate visits to foreign nations aimed at cultivating relationships with members of other parliaments.

Functions of the Parliamentary Group

The Group undertakes a variety of functions and activities, including:

1. Serving as a liaison between the Parliament of India and various parliaments worldwide, facilitated through exchange of delegations, goodwill missions, correspondence, and documents with foreign counterparts.
2. Acting as both the National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the primary branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in India.
3. Organizing addresses to Parliament members by visiting Heads of State and Government from foreign nations, as well as talks by distinguished individuals.
4. Conducting seminars and symposia on parliamentary topics of current interest at national and international levels.
5. Providing members traveling abroad with letters of introduction to Secretaries of National Groups of the IPU and CPA branches, along with informing Indian Missions in the respective countries to facilitate assistance and courtesies.
6. Inclusion of only those Parliament members who have been part of the Group for at least six months in Indian Parliamentary delegations to foreign countries.
7. Ensuring a steady stream of information to members about Group activities through the IPG Newsletter, distributed quarterly to all members, including associate members.
8. Instituting the Outstanding Parliamentarian award in 1995, awarded annually based on nominations finalized by a committee appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
9. Establishing Parliamentary Friendship Groups with other countries in the Parliament to promote political, social, and cultural ties, facilitating exchanges of information and experiences related to parliamentary activities.

The Parliamentary Group and IPU

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is an international organization comprising the parliaments of sovereign states, currently boasting 153 member parliaments. Its overarching goal is to promote peace, cooperation among peoples, and the robust establishment of representative institutions. The IPU facilitates communication, coordination, and the exchange of expertise among parliaments and parliamentarians across member countries, thereby enhancing understanding of representative institutions’ functioning. Additionally, it offers insights on pressing global issues to enable effective parliamentary actions and suggests avenues for enhancing international institutions’ operational standards and capacities.

Regarding its role as the National Group of the IPU, the benefits for members of the Group include:

1. Facilitating contact development between members of Indian Parliamentary delegations and parliamentarians from IPU member countries.
2. Providing opportunities to observe and comprehend contemporary changes and reforms occurring worldwide.
3. Offering platforms to interact with parliamentarians from various countries during tours abroad or within India when visiting parliamentarians are present.
4. Granting eligibility for Group members to participate in foreign countries as part of Indian Parliamentary delegations to Inter-Parliamentary Conferences.

In recent times, members of the Group have held various positions within IPU bodies, including office bearers in different committees, rapporteurs, and chairpersons of drafting committees. Through these roles, the Group effectively articulates India’s viewpoint on significant issues discussed during IPU meetings.

The Parliamentary Group and CPA

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an association comprising approximately 17,000 Commonwealth Parliamentarians from 175 National, State, Provincial, and Territorial Parliaments. Its objectives include promoting knowledge and understanding of constitutional, legislative, economic, social, and cultural systems within a parliamentary democratic framework, particularly among countries of the Commonwealth of Nations and those with close historical and parliamentary ties. The CPA’s mission is to advance parliamentary democracy by fostering knowledge and comprehension of democratic governance and by building an informed parliamentary community capable of deepening the Commonwealth’s democratic commitment and promoting cooperation among its parliaments and legislatures.

The key benefits of Group membership, particularly concerning its role as the primary branch of the CPA in India, include:

1. Conferences and Seminars: Membership offers opportunities for participation in plenary and regional conferences, seminars, visits, and delegation exchanges.
2. Publications: All Group members receive complimentary copies of ‘The Parliamentarian’ quarterly and the newsletter, ‘First Reading’, bi-monthly.
3. Information: The Parliamentary Information and Reference Centre of the CPA Secretariat provides members with information on parliamentary, constitutional, and Commonwealth matters.
4. Introductions: CPA branches readily assist in arranging introductions for members visiting other jurisdictions.
5. Parliamentary Facilities: Members visiting other Commonwealth countries typically receive parliamentary courtesies, including access to debates and interaction with local members.
6. Travel Facilities: Some branches allocate a designated number of members annually for study tours of Commonwealth and other countries to observe political and procedural developments. Other branches organize ad hoc visits.

FAQs about the Parliamentary Group (IPG)

1. What is the significance of inter-parliamentary relations according to the Indian Parliamentary Group’s rationale?

• The IPG emphasizes the importance of fostering relations among national parliaments, especially in today’s interconnected world. It believes that as nations become increasingly interconnected, parliamentarians must unite to uphold democracy and collectively address global challenges.

2. How does the IPG contribute to maintaining international connections?

• The IPG facilitates exchanges with foreign parliaments through mechanisms like delegations, goodwill missions, correspondence, and document sharing. It serves as the National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the India Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), playing a crucial role in maintaining these vital connections.

3. Who can become a member of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG)?

• Membership to the IPG is open to all sitting Members of Parliament, with former parliamentarians eligible to become associate members. However, associate members have limited rights within the Group compared to full members.

4. What are some of the functions and activities undertaken by the IPG?

• The IPG serves as a liaison between the Parliament of India and various parliaments worldwide, organizes addresses and talks by distinguished individuals, conducts seminars and symposia on parliamentary topics, provides information to members through newsletters, and establishes Parliamentary Friendship Groups with other countries.

5. What are the benefits of IPG membership regarding its affiliation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)?

• IPG membership offers opportunities for members to participate in foreign delegations, observe global parliamentary practices, interact with parliamentarians from various countries, and hold positions within IPU bodies. Additionally, it provides access to conferences, publications, information services, introductions, parliamentary facilities, and travel facilities through the CPA.

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