Functioning of the 14th Haryana Legislative Assembly

14^th Haryana Assembly met for 14 days a year on average

Note: The term of the 14^th Assembly started in November, 2019.

• The 14^th Assembly met for 72 sitting days over five years, which is about 14 days a year on average.  Between 2017 and 2023, state Legislative Assemblies across India met for 23 days a year on average.

• As per the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, the House is scheduled to meet for six hours a day.  During the 14^th term, the House functioned for an average of 4.8 hours on the days it met.

38% Bills passed on introduction day; four Bills referred to Committees

Note:  The term of the Assembly started in November, 2019 and ended in March, 2024.  This excludes Appropriation Bills.

Note: This excludes Appropriation Bills.

• 124 Bills were passed by the 14^th Assembly, 98% of which were passed in the same session that they were introduced.  Two Bills were passed more than a month after their introduction.  Over the term of the Assembly, four Bills were referred to Select Committees.

• Key legislation passed by the Assembly include: (i) the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022, (ii) the Haryana Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2023, and (iii) the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Bill, 2020 (which was struck down by the High Court).

Status of Bills referred to Committees

Note: Bills pending in the Assembly will lapse after its dissolution.

20 Ordinances issued; 10 during the Covid-19 pandemic

• 20 Ordinances were issued during the term of the Assembly, of which 13 were approved by the Assembly.  Five Ordinances were issued in August 2024, after the last session of the Assembly. Two Ordinances issued in 2020 lapsed.

• Ordinances are temporary laws made by the Executive when the Assembly is not in session.     They must be approved by the Assembly within six weeks of its next meeting.

General Budget discussion lasted for 9.5 hours on average

• On average, the general discussion on the annual budget was held for 9.5 hours, over three days.  In 2022, general discussion on budget was held over five days.

• After the general discussion, the expenditure of each government Department is discussed.  In Parliament and in other states, some Departments are chosen for discussion. In Haryana, the expenditures of all Departments are taken up for discussion together.

Financial Committees met for 50 days a year, on average

Note: Data for Estimates Committee from 2020-21 to 2023-24.

• The Assembly has three Financial Committees and two Subject Committees. Financial Committees examine the state government’s finances and CAG reports.  Subject Committees examine the workings of their respective departments.

• Since 2022-23, the Assembly has constituted eight temporary Committees every year to scrutinise expenditure for certain departments.

64% of starred questions received oral reply; MLAs asked 34 questions on average

Note: BS: Budget Session; MS: Monsoon Session; WS: Winter Session.  

Question Hour was not held for two sessions in 2019, one each in 2022 and 2024.

Note: This excludes MLAs who were the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Ministers until March 12, 2024.

• Of the 72 sitting days, Question Hour was held on 56 days.  Starred questions are answered orally in the House and members can ask follow-up questions.  64% of all starred questions received an oral reply in the 14^th Assembly.

• An MLA asked 34 questions on average.  Members of the Indian National Congress asked 45 questions on average, followed by Jannayak Janta Party (33) and Bharatiya Janata Party (23).  Male members of the Assembly asked 34 questions on average, compared to 36 by female members.  The Assembly had 81 male and nine female members.

74% members had more than 90% attendance; Five MLAs had 100% attendance

Note: This excludes MLAs who were the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Ministers until March 12, 2024.

• Members had an average attendance of 91%.  Five MLAs had 100% attendance.  Average attendance for male MLAs was 91%, compared to 92% for female MLAs. 

Sources: Bulletins and Session Resumes, Rules of Procedure, Handbook for Members, Haryana Legislative Assembly (https://haryanaassembly.gov.in/).