Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday expressed concern over incidents of indiscipline, disruption of proceedings and unparliamentary conduct in legislatures, affecting their credibility.
He was inaugurating the 84th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) in the Maharashtra Legislature premises, Mumbai.
He said there is enough space to give voice to dissent in the democratic system, therefore, disruption should not be used as a tool of protest and dissent.
Maintaining the prestige and dignity of the legislatures and dignified conduct in the Legislatures are paramount “but it is a matter of concern that despite having a consensus on these issues, we are yet to implement our commitments for smooth functioning of the House,” he said.
Stressing that conduct of public representatives should be in accordance with parliamentary decorum, Mr Birla urged Members to devote their time in the House on productive business. In this regard, he suggested that concrete and definite action plan, including changes in rules, if necessary, should be prepared to ensure that Legislatures function sans disruptions.
Emphasising on innovation, the Lok Sabha Speaker suggested that new and innovative methods of working should be promoted in legislatures so that the democratic institutions can better perform their responsibility of monitoring the executive and people’s faith in these institutions will enhance.
The good work being done by the State Legislatures in the socio-economic fields should be discussed in the House, best practices may be shared as such measures will enhance credibility of both Legislatures and people’s representatives among the public, he said.
Stressing on use of technology in legislative work, Mr Birla suggested that public representatives should be proficient in technology and use it to connect with public. More and more use of technology will enhance efficiency of Members, he said.
Capacity building of Members should be taken seriously by the Legislatures and regular training programmes on rules of legislatures, legislative tools and using technology should be conducted for the Members, added Mr Birla.
The Lok Sabha Speaker urged the State legislatures for digitization of debates in a time bound manner so that ‘One Nation, One Legislative Platform can be a reality soon’.
Referring to the role of parliamentary committees in democracy, Mr Birla noted that parliamentary committees play a vital role in shaping laws and policies in the present perspective. Parliamentary Committees are actually ‘mini Parliaments’ and they review these laws, policies and programs on behalf of the Parliament and make them more useful to the public, he added.
Mr Birla suggested that parliamentary committees should work in a spirit of collaboration and inclusivity, using the collective knowledge of all parties to engage in constructive discussion and be productive. The reports of the committees which have brought positive changes in the society should be highlighted, said Mr Birla.