Legislatures Must Uphold Dignity, Embrace Technology for Effective Governance: Om Birla

Speaking at the 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC), held at the Bihar Legislature Premises in Patna, Birla urged lawmakers to prioritize efficiency, accountability, and respect for parliamentary traditions.Key Points Raised by the Lok Sabha Speaker:

1. Decline in Legislative Sittings and Dignity:
   Birla noted the decline in the number of sittings and emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum. He stressed that legislatures are platforms for debate and must fulfill their constitutional mandate by addressing national issues effectively.
2. Internal Code of Conduct for Members:
   Urging political parties to draft internal codes of conduct, the Speaker highlighted the need for democratic values to be upheld, with lawmakers rising above political affiliations to respect parliamentary traditions.
3. One Nation, One Legislative Platform:
   Birla announced that the ambitious “One Nation, One Legislative Platform” initiative will be implemented by the end of 2025, streamlining legislative processes nationwide through technological integration.
4. Use of Technology and AI in Legislatures:
   Emphasizing modernization, the Speaker called for greater adoption of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and social media in legislative processes to enhance transparency and accessibility. He cited Parliament’s progress in becoming paperless as a positive development.
5. Autonomy of State Legislative Assemblies:
   Highlighting the federal structure of India, Birla emphasized the autonomy of state legislatures as enshrined in the Constitution. He called for impartiality and integrity in their functioning to address local needs effectively.
6. Capacity Building for Local Bodies:
   The Speaker urged state legislatures to establish platforms similar to AIPOC for capacity building and training of local bodies, enhancing their effectiveness in governance.
7. Updated Parliamentary Resource:
   Birla released the updated version of “Practice and Procedure of Parliament,” edited by Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh. The resource serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding parliamentary practices and enhancing governance.

Birla concluded by calling for collective efforts to strengthen India’s democratic institutions, emphasizing cooperative federalism and a unified approach to national progress under the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”

The conference, preceded by a meeting of the AIPOC Standing Committee, served as a platform for deliberating ways to enhance the effectiveness of legislatures and uphold the constitutional values of India.