Subject: Indian Polity

The effectiveness of parliamentary oversight on executive accountability in India reflects the core principle of checks and balances in a democratic system. The Parliament's role as the supreme oversight body is exemplified through various constitutional mechanisms and institutional frameworks.

Constitutional Mechanisms for Executive Accountability

• Question Hour and Zero Hour: Daily parliamentary sessions enable direct questioning of ministers, ensuring transparency and immediate accountability (e.g., questions on policy implementation, public grievances).
• Parliamentary Committees: The system of standing committees, departmental committees, and ad-hoc committees provides detailed scrutiny of executive actions and policy implementation.
• No-Confidence Motion: A powerful tool under Article 75, though historically all motions have been defeated, it serves as a deterrent against executive overreach.

Financial Accountability

• Budget Scrutiny: Parliament's exclusive authority to approve financial bills and scrutinize budget allocations through the Finance Committee.
• Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Examines CAG reports and ensures financial propriety in executive spending.
• Estimates Committee: Reviews budget estimates and suggests alternative policies.

Challenges in Ensuring Accountability

• Limited Private Member's Bills: Recent data shows only 14 private member's bills have received assent to date, indicating limited success in non-government legislative initiatives.
• Executive Dominance: The ruling party's majority often dilutes effective parliamentary oversight.
• Reduced Parliamentary Sessions: Declining number of sitting days affects thorough deliberation and scrutiny.

Effectiveness and Way Forward

• Committee System Enhancement: Strengthening parliamentary committees through increased resources and expert consultation.
• Digital Integration: Implementing e-governance tools for real-time monitoring of executive actions.
• Capacity Building: Regular training programs for parliamentarians to enhance their oversight capabilities.

The Parliament's ability to ensure executive accountability, while structurally robust through various constitutional mechanisms, requires strengthening through institutional reforms and enhanced parliamentary practices like those seen in developed democracies such as UK's Committee on Housing and Local Government. The success of parliamentary oversight ultimately depends on the effective utilization of existing mechanisms and continuous adaptation to emerging governance challenges.