Haryana Assembly's Disappointing Record: 14.4 Days of Meetings Annually

Between May 2016 and May 2021, the 14th Kerala Assembly emerged as one of the most productive in India, holding sessions for a total of 232 days, which averages out to 46.4 days annually. This performance stands in stark contrast to the Haryana Assembly during the same period, which convened for merely 72 days over five years, translating to an average of 14.4 days per year. This figure falls significantly below the national average of 23 days per year for state assemblies from 2017 to 2023, as reported by PRS Legislative Research.

The 17th Lok Sabha, spanning from 2019 to 2024, recorded 274 sitting days, averaging 54.5 days a year, marking it as the least active in comparison with other Lok Sabhas that completed their full terms. This reduction in activity was partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to shortened sessions in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, the upcoming elections for the 15th Haryana Assembly are scheduled for October 5, drawing attention to the state's legislative patterns.

The Haryana Assembly's recent track record reveals a trend of infrequent sittings. Both the 12th and 13th Assemblies met for even fewer days than the 14th assembly. Specifically, the 13th Assembly, which ran from November 2014 to February 2019, convened for 69 days or 14 days annually. The 12th Assembly, covering the years 2009 to 2014, had a total of 54 sitting days, which breaks down to just 11 days per year. Despite the Haryana Assembly's Rules of Procedure stipulating a six-hour working day, during its 14th term, the assembly operated for only an average of 4.8 hours on the days it was in session.

This analysis highlights the variation in productivity and operational hours among different legislative bodies in India. The Kerala Assembly's performance stands out for its higher number of sitting days, in stark contrast to the reduced activity seen in the Haryana Assembly and the challenges faced by the 17th Lok Sabha. As the Haryana Assembly approaches its 15th term, the focus will be on whether it can enhance its operational efficiency and align more closely with the higher standards observed in other parts of the country.