State legislatures fall below the national average, raising concerns over limited legislative activity, while Odisha and Kerala lead with longer sessions, claims the PRS Legislative Research report
LUCKNOW/BHOPAL – The state assemblies of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh convened for just 16 days in 2024, falling short of the national average of 20 days, according to a report by PRS Legislative Research, a non-profit research group. This decline in legislative activity has sparked concerns among observers about the functioning of key state legislatures.
The PRS report, released on Thursday, highlighted that assemblies across India sat for an average of 20 days in 2024, down from 22 days in 2023. In contrast, Odisha’s assembly led the country, sitting for 42 days, followed by Kerala with 38 days. “The variation in sitting days reflects differing priorities in legislative engagement across states,” said Chakshu Roy, head of legislative and civic engagement at the PRS think-tank.
Historically, the average number of sitting days has fluctuated. From 2017 to 2024, Kerala’s assembly averaged 44 days annually, Odisha 40 days, and Karnataka 34 days. However, the national average dipped to 16 days in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, before recovering to 22 days in 2023 and settling at 20 days in 2024.
Legislative assemblies across the country clocked an average of 100 hours in session last year. Kerala topped the list with 228 hours, followed by Odisha (193 hours) and Maharashtra (187 hours). At the other end, Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly met for a mere six hours, with Nagaland (30 hours), Punjab (34 hours), and Puducherry (46 hours) also recording notably brief sessions.
The report also raised concerns about the speed of legislative processes. In 2024, 51% of bills were passed either on the same day or the next day, up from 44% in 2023. In eight states — Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal — all bills were passed within a day or two. “This trend limits scrutiny and debate, which are vital for robust law-making,” Roy noted.
Only 22.4% of the over 500 bills introduced in 2024 were referred to committees for detailed examination, with just 15 bills reported back to assemblies. “Committees allow for deeper analysis and stakeholder input, but their underuse is a missed opportunity,” said a senior PRS researcher, who requested anonymity.
Another significant issue highlighted by the report is the vacancy of the Deputy Speaker post in eight states and union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttarakhand. Jharkhand has lacked a Deputy Speaker for over 20 years, while Rajasthan’s post has been vacant for six years.
Under Article 178 of the Constitution, assemblies must elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker soon after their formation. The Deputy Speaker steps in during the Speaker’s absence and can handle critical tasks, such as receiving no-confidence motions against the Speaker. “The absence of a Deputy Speaker weakens the legislative framework,” said political analyst Neerja Choudhary. “It’s a gap that needs urgent attention.”
In Uttar Pradesh, opposition leaders expressed dismay at the limited sittings. “Sixteen days is inadequate for a state of over 20 crore people,” said Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief. “Important issues like unemployment and healthcare need more discussion.” In Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Kamal Nath echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The government seems uninterested in legislative accountability.”
Government officials, however, defended the schedules. A senior Uttar Pradesh government spokesperson, who declined to be named, said, “The assembly’s work is streamlined to focus on key priorities.” In Madhya Pradesh, a BJP leader argued, “We ensure quality discussions within the time available.”
The PRS report has prompted calls for reforms. “States like Odisha and Kerala show that longer sessions are possible,” said Roy. “Others must follow to strengthen democratic processes.”
As the 2025 legislative calendar approaches, all eyes will be on whether Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and other states increase their sitting days to address pressing issues and bolster legislative oversight.
