The statement that legislatures have become a place for infighting rather than proper policy-making is a critical observation that reflects a concerning trend in the working of State Governments in India. State legislatures, as democratic institutions, are primarily envisioned as forums for deliberative policy-making, representing the will of the people, scrutinizing the executive, and enacting laws for the welfare of the state. However, their functioning often falls short of these ideals.

The Ideal Role of State Legislatures:

1. Law-making: Enacting laws on subjects within the state list and concurrent list.
2. Budgetary Control: Approving the state budget and scrutinizing government expenditure.
3. Accountability of Executive: Holding the Council of Ministers accountable through questions, debates, and motions.
4. Representation: Providing a platform for elected representatives to voice the concerns and aspirations of their constituents.
5. Deliberation: Engaging in informed debates on public policy issues.

Reasons for the Shift Towards 'Infighting' and Away from Policy-Making:

1. Political Polarization and Partisanship: Deep ideological divides and intense political rivalry between ruling and opposition parties often lead to a confrontational rather than a cooperative approach. Debates devolve into political point-scoring rather than constructive discussion on policy merits.
2. Frequent Disruptions and Lack of Decorum: Legislatures are frequently marred by walkouts, protests, shouting matches, and unruly behavior. This leads to a significant loss of legislative time, preventing meaningful debate and the passage of well-thought-out legislation.
3. Weakening of the Committee System: Legislative committees are crucial for detailed scrutiny of bills and policies. However, in many states, these committees are either non-existent, underutilized, or lack adequate resources and expertise, leading to bills being passed without proper examination.
4. Executive Dominance: The executive (Council of Ministers) often dominates the legislative agenda, with bills being introduced and passed with minimal legislative input. The legislature's role can be reduced to rubber-stamping executive decisions.
5. Anti-Defection Law: While intended to ensure stability, the anti-defection law can stifle independent thought and dissent within parties, making policy-making a party-line vote rather than a deliberative process. Internal party 'infighting' might then manifest in other ways or lead to a lack of genuine debate.
6. Lack of Attendance and Quorum: Poor attendance by members during legislative sessions and committee meetings further hampers effective policy-making.
7. Focus on Short-Term Political Gains: Legislators and parties often prioritize immediate electoral advantages and media attention over long-term policy formulation and governance.
8. Criminalization of Politics: The presence of members with criminal backgrounds can shift the focus from public service to personal or factional interests.

Consequences of this Trend:

1. Poor Quality Legislation: Bills passed without adequate debate, scrutiny, or expert input can be flawed, leading to ineffective or even detrimental policies.
2. Erosion of Public Trust: The public loses faith in democratic institutions when their elected representatives are perceived to be engaged in unproductive squabbles rather than addressing pressing issues.
3. Ineffective Governance: When the legislative arm fails to perform its oversight and policy-making functions effectively, it can lead to a decline in the quality of governance and accountability.
4. Undermining Democratic Principles: The very essence of a deliberative democracy, where diverse viewpoints are discussed to arrive at optimal solutions, is undermined.

Conclusion: The statement accurately reflects a significant challenge facing state legislatures in India. While political contestation is inherent to democracy, the current trend of prioritizing 'infighting' and disruption over constructive policy-making is detrimental to governance and public welfare. To restore the sanctity and effectiveness of state legislatures, there is an urgent need for reforms. These include strengthening the committee system, ensuring adequate time for debate, promoting decorum and respectful dialogue, enhancing transparency, and fostering a political culture that prioritizes substantive policy discussions over partisan battles. The Speaker's role in maintaining order and facilitating productive legislative work is also paramount. Ultimately, the health of state governments and the quality of public life depend on robust and functional legislative bodies.