Thiruvananthapuram: The elections for the 16th Kerala Assembly are scheduled to take place in a single phase on April 9. As the polls are drawing closer,
the functioning of the outgoing assembly has come under scrutiny. The performance of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly (2021–2026) is likely to be a key factor in shaping voters' perceptions. A survey conducted by the PRS Legislative Research provided more insightful details into the working of the outgoing Kerala Assembly. Number Of Days When Kerala Assembly Met Between May 2021 And March 2026: As per the survey, the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly met for 204 days. However, the number of sittings is different for each year. The Assembly met for 50 days in 2021, 41 days in 2022, 29 days in 2023, and 38 days in 2024. Notably, the Kerala Assembly has met for more sitting days than the average of all the assemblies across India. According to rules, each sitting should last for at least five hours and for 3.5 hours. If we talk about Kerala Assembly's average sitting, it is around six hours. Around 25 per cent of sittings lasted longer for eight hours, the survey stated. Bills Introduced During The 15th Kerala Assembly: A total of 129 bills were introduced and passed. Finance and Appropriation Bills are not included in this. Out of the total, 84 per cent of the bills introduced in the assembly were referred to a committee for detailed scrutiny. The PRS survey revealed that in 38 per cent of the bills referred to the committee, the report was presented on the day after it was presented, and in another 10 per cent cases, within two days. Some finance bills were also referred to committees. During the previous term, 99 per cent of the bills were taken up by a committee. Only four bills were referred to select committees, which took more than a month to present their reports. As per the survey, 47 per cent f the bills were passed within a week of introduction, including the Kerala Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Most of the bills passed by the assembly received the Governor’s assent within a month. Meanwhile, 30 per cent took more than a month. Some bills are still pending with the Governor. Also Read: India ‘Left-Mukt’ on Karl Marx’s 208th Birthday? Kerala Holds the Key Ordinances: During the 15th Assembly, 118 ordinances were issued. As per the survey, the total number of ordinances issued annually has declined significantly since 2021. Discussion During Budget Sessions: The general discussion on the budget was held for three days every year. Department-wise expenditure was discussed for an average of 10 days every year, the survey revealed. Questions Asked During The 15th Assembly: As per the PRS survey, during the 15th Assembly MLAs asked 848 questions on an average.
Kerala Assembly Elections:
The main contest in Kerala will be between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Notably, the LDF will be seeking the historic third term, while the UDF is aiming to make a comeback in the state.
