Marie Michael Library

The Indian parliament as an institution of accountability

Kapur, Devesh; Mehta, Pratap Bhanu

This paper examines the institutional challenges facing the Indian Parliament. It suggests that the effectiveness of Parliament with respect to accountability and oversight, has declined. It argues that globalizing of the Indian economy has eroded the power of Parliament. Much of economic decision making is governed by international treaties. India is restructuring its regulatory framework with more powers being delegated to non-elected institutions. This process can increase accountability, but oversight of these institutions remains weak.