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4 Feb 2026·Source: The Indian Express
3 min
Polity & GovernanceNEWS

Opposition Questions Government's Trade Deal Announcement Platform Choice

Opposition criticizes government for announcing trade deal details on social media first.

Opposition Questions Government's Trade Deal Announcement Platform Choice

Photo by Marcin Nowak

The opposition has criticized the government for announcing details of a trade deal with the U.S. on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) before informing the Parliament. They argue that this undermines the importance and sanctity of the Parliament. The opposition questions why such a significant announcement was not first made on the floor of the House, emphasizing that Parliament should be the primary forum for such policy disclosures.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper 2 - Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

2.

Connects to the syllabus by highlighting the importance of parliamentary procedures and the role of the opposition.

3.

Potential question types include statement-based questions on the powers and privileges of Parliament.

Visual Insights

Parliamentary Accountability

Illustrates the relationship between Parliament, Government Accountability, and Public Trust.

Parliamentary Accountability

  • ●Parliament
  • ●Government Accountability
  • ●Public Trust
  • ●Trade Deal Announcement
More Information

Background

The Parliament of India, as the legislative body, holds a central position in the country's democratic framework. Its origins can be traced back to the colonial era, with gradual reforms leading to the establishment of a fully sovereign Parliament after independence. The concept of parliamentary sovereignty, while not absolute in India due to the presence of a written constitution and judicial review, emphasizes the importance of the legislature in representing the will of the people. Over time, the role and functions of the Parliament have evolved significantly. Key milestones include the adoption of the Constitution, the expansion of parliamentary committees, and the increasing use of technology in parliamentary proceedings. Amendments to the Constitution, such as those related to the composition and powers of the Houses, have also shaped the institution's trajectory. The principle of separation of powers ensures a balance between the legislature, executive, and judiciary. The legal and constitutional framework governing the Parliament is primarily enshrined in Part V of the Constitution, specifically Articles 79 to 122. These articles deal with the composition of Parliament, the qualifications and disqualifications of members, the powers and privileges of the Houses, and the legislative procedure. The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha further regulate the functioning of the two Houses.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny of the government's communication strategies, particularly regarding policy announcements. The use of social media platforms for disseminating information has become more prevalent, raising questions about transparency and accountability. The role of parliamentary committees in scrutinizing government actions has also gained importance. Ongoing debates revolve around the balance between the government's prerogative to communicate directly with the public and the Parliament's right to be informed first. Different stakeholders, including the government, opposition parties, and civil society organizations, hold varying perspectives on this issue. The principle of collective responsibility, where the government is accountable to the Parliament, is central to this debate. The future outlook involves navigating the evolving landscape of information dissemination while upholding the principles of parliamentary democracy. Strengthening parliamentary procedures and enhancing the effectiveness of parliamentary committees are crucial steps. Ensuring that the Parliament remains the primary forum for policy disclosures is essential for maintaining its legitimacy and authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the government's announcement of the trade deal on social media being questioned?

The opposition is questioning the government's decision to announce details of the trade deal with the U.S. on social media platform X before informing the Parliament. They believe that Parliament should be the primary forum for such important policy disclosures, and announcing it elsewhere undermines its importance.

2. What is the core argument of the opposition regarding the trade deal announcement?

The opposition's main argument is that announcing a significant trade deal on social media before informing the Parliament undermines the sanctity and importance of the Parliament. They believe that the Parliament, as the legislative body, should be the first to receive such information.

3. How might this situation relate to the concept of parliamentary sovereignty in India?

While India doesn't have absolute parliamentary sovereignty due to the written constitution and judicial review, the opposition's concern highlights the importance of maintaining the decorum and respect for the Parliament as a key institution. Announcing major policy decisions outside of Parliament can be seen as a disregard for its role.

4. What are the potential pros and cons of the government using social media for policy announcements?

Pros include quicker dissemination of information and direct engagement with citizens. Cons include bypassing traditional accountability mechanisms like parliamentary debates and potentially undermining the importance of legislative bodies.

5. For UPSC Prelims, what is important to remember about the Parliament of India?

For UPSC Prelims, remember that the Parliament is the legislative body of India. It is important to understand its role in law-making, holding the government accountable, and representing the people. The origins of the Parliament can be traced back to the colonial era.

6. How can I use this news to strengthen my Mains answer on parliamentary accountability?

You can use this as a recent example to illustrate the challenges to parliamentary accountability in the digital age. Discuss how the increasing use of social media for policy announcements can potentially undermine the role of Parliament and its committees in scrutinizing government actions. Mention the importance of maintaining a balance between using new communication technologies and upholding parliamentary procedures.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the privileges of the Indian Parliament: 1. Parliamentary privileges are defined under Article 105 of the Constitution. 2. These privileges extend to individuals who are not members of Parliament but participate in its committees. 3. Parliamentary privilege protects members from any legal action for anything said or any vote given in Parliament or its committees. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

All three statements are correct. Article 105 of the Constitution explicitly deals with the powers, privileges, and immunities of Parliament and its members. These privileges extend to those who are entitled to participate in the proceedings of the House, including non-members participating in committees. The privileges also grant immunity to members from any court proceedings for anything said or any vote given in Parliament or its committees. This ensures freedom of speech and expression within the Parliament.

2. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the principle of 'Collective Responsibility' in the Indian parliamentary system?

  • A.Each minister is individually responsible to the President for the functioning of their respective ministry.
  • B.The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
  • C.All members of Parliament are responsible for the actions of the government.
  • D.The Prime Minister is solely responsible for the decisions taken by the Cabinet.
Show Answer

Answer: B

The principle of Collective Responsibility, as enshrined in Article 75(3) of the Constitution, means that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This implies that the government must maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha to remain in power. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the government, the entire Council of Ministers must resign.

3. Assertion (A): The opposition criticized the government for announcing a trade deal on social media before informing the Parliament. Reason (R): Parliament is considered the primary forum for policy disclosures in a parliamentary democracy. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true, but R is false.
  • D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The opposition's criticism stems from the principle that Parliament should be the primary forum for announcing significant policy decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability. Announcing it on social media first undermines the importance of Parliament.

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