The Lok Sabha The Speaker has established PRISM, a 24-hour research reference telephone hotline for Members of Parliament (MPs) to help with policy concerns.
What exactly is PRISM?
- The Parliamentary Research and Information Support for Members of Parliament (PRISM) provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends during Parliament Sessions.
- It intends to assist first-term MPs and those without large secretarial teams who may find it difficult to speak on policy issues in Parliament.
- A crew of 30-32 policemen rotates around the hotline to give research and reference assistance.
Inquiries and Usage
- Between 2019 and 2023, 87% of MPs used online or offline reference services, which were also distributed via WhatsApp and email.
- Enquiries mostly centred on measures such as the Juvenile Justice Bill and the Wildlife Protection Bill, as well as brief talks on themes such as climate change, drug misuse, and price increases.
PRISM is required
- First-term When asked to debate on bills without considerable research support, MPs frequently experience difficulties.
- The hotline and reference services have been helpful in supporting MPs and allowing them to meaningfully contribute to debates and discussions.
- The programme has assisted MPs who may not be fluent in English or Hindi, allowing them to voice relevant topics in Parliament.
Significance
- Parliament may be a disjointed place, with many cliques and clubs growing over time.
- Backbenchers, in particular, spend a lot of time in the shadows.
- PRISM’s research and reference services can help make these years on the backbench more productive by allowing for more informed participation in policy debates.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/24-hour-phone-hotline-for-mps-for-research-help-speaker-birla-channels-his-own-backbencher-struggles/article67030342.ece#:~:text=section%20for%20legislations.-,According%20to%20officials%2C%20the%20Parliamentary%20Research%20and%20Information%20Support%20for,basis%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20an%20official.