Parliamentary Forums

What is Parliamentary Forum?

A Parliamentary Forum is a platform created within the Parliament to promote discussions, consultations, and exchange of ideas among members of Parliament on specific issues of national and international importance. It allows members to delve deeper into topics beyond regular legislative activities.

Relevant Articles, Schedules, and Provisions:

• Article 79 to 122 (Part V): Covers the general framework and functioning of the Indian Parliament.
• Article 105: Provides freedom of speech in Parliament, enabling open discussions in forums.
• Article 118: Allows Parliament to make rules for regulating its procedure, under which forums can be created.

No specific schedule: Forums are procedural mechanisms and not constitutional bodies.

Parliamentary forums focus on various themes like health, water conservation, environment, and more, encouraging members to engage actively with subject experts and policymakers.

When was the first Parliamentary Forum constituted and on what topic?

The first Parliamentary Forum was constituted in 2005 on Water Conservation and Management.

How many Parliamentary Forums are there currently?

Currently, there are 8 Parliamentary Forums.

What are the 8 Parliamentary Forums?

The 8 Parliamentary Forums are:

• Parliamentary Forum on Water Conservation and Management (2005)
• Parliamentary Forum on Youth (2006)
• Parliamentary Forum on Children (2006)
• Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health (2006)
• Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change (2008)
• Parliamentary Forum on Disaster Management (2011)
• Parliamentary Forum on Artisans and Craftspeople (2013)
• Parliamentary Forum on Millennium Development Goals (2013)

What are the objectives of the Parliamentary Forums?

The objectives of the Parliamentary Forums are:

1. To provide a platform for members to interact with ministers, experts, and key officials to have focused discussions on critical issues and speed up the implementation process.
2. To sensitize members on key areas of concern and provide them with the latest information and knowledge.
3. To prepare a database by collecting knowledge on critical issues, making discussions meaningful and clarifying concerns.

Do the Parliamentary Forums interfere with the jurisdiction of Departmentally-Related Standing Committees?

No, the Parliamentary Forums do not interfere with the jurisdiction of Departmentally-Related Standing Committees of the Ministry/Department.

Who typically comprises the Parliamentary Forum?

The composition of the Parliamentary Forum includes:

• The Speaker, except in the Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health, where the Chairman of Rajya Sabha (RS) and Vice President are involved.
• The Deputy Chairman of RS, Deputy Speaker of LS, and the concerned Minister are the ex-officio members.
• Members are nominated by the Speaker/Chairman, and their membership is co-terminus with their membership in the respective house.
• Each Forum has a Co-President and up to 31 members, along with a convener who helps in organizing tasks and needs.

What are the functions of the Parliamentary Forums?

The functions of the Parliamentary Forums are as follows:

1. On Water Conservation and Management: Identify problems related to water and make recommendations, involve members of Parliament in conservation, organize seminars and related tasks.
2. On Youth: Focus on strategies for leveraging youth for development, raise awareness at grassroots levels, consult experts, and improve Parliament’s outreach to youth.
3. On Children: Enhance awareness on critical issues for children, encourage constitutional support with UN and UNICEF, undertake related tasks.
4. On Population and Public Health: Have focused deliberations on population stabilization, raise awareness in society.
5. On Global Warming and Climate Change: Identify problems related to global warming and climate change, and make recommendations for appropriate actions.
6. On Disaster Management: Involve members of Parliament in disaster management, identify problems, and undertake related tasks.
7. On Artisans and Craftspeople: Enhance awareness of issues faced by artisans, enable institutional support through organizations like KVIC, Coir Board, and CAPART.
8. On Millennium Development Goals: Review progress towards targets set under the Millennium Development Goals.