Lack of a binding framework for pre-legislative consultations in India limits citizen engagement in the lawmaking. Propose measures to strengthen the role of public consultation in the legislative process.

Parliament as business will a the people and absence of citizen engagement make lawmaking powers detached from local realities Framework Currently: Pre-legislation Consultation Bill (2014) minimum 30 days public feedback But it is Non-binding. It limits citizen engagement which has following implications: 1) Detached from ground realities 2) Low Transparency mechanism 3) Lack of awareness among public Measures to strengthen role of public consultation: 1) Give statutory backing to 2014 policy → cofth min-30 days window 2) use of digital platforms like e-samvad, Bhashini 4.0 to transform policies into easy readable format 3) Role of civil society: NGOs, PUCLs, ADR can be facilitated to spread awareness about policy making 4) Role of Parliamentary Committees → to invite public, experts for views on bills (e.g. ONDE Bill by TPC) 5) Proactive disclosure of intent to frame policy in public domain. This measure aide of citizen in actively shaping the future of policymaking.

— MADHVENDRA PRATAP SINGH · AIR 153