In a development that underscores the commitment to modernization and transparency, Punjab Vidhan Sabha has transitioned into a paperless institution — thanks to the implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) Project. The move marks a significant milestone in Punjab's legislative history.
From now on, all functioning of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has been made paperless and all business of the forthcoming Assembly session will be completely digital and paperless,” said the Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, while making the announcement. He highlighted that the NeVA Project would revolutionize legislative proceedings, eliminate paper usage, and promote transparent governance. This digital transformation aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and bring greater accountability to the legislative process, he said.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also emphasized the pivotal role of digitalization in empowering Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to address public concerns effectively and enabling constituents to assess their representatives’ performance. He commended Punjab for becoming the first State in the country to launch various applications, characterizing this initiative as a testament to the government's commitment to the welfare of the common man and the continuous upskilling of MLAs.
Mann noted that digitizing the legislative assembly would streamline its operations, making Punjab a pioneering state in India. He stressed that the live broadcasting of Vidhan Sabha proceedings had already been implemented, and the introduction of NeVA would further benefit the public. Describing it as a “revolutionary step aimed at making the legislatures more effective and responsive”, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first Vidhan Sabha in the country to launch various applications in the country.
The Chief Minister envisioned that MLAs of both the opposition and treasury benches would take mileage out of this initiative, and “I hope this will pave the way for drafting and passing of the various pro-people bills in the coming times”. “Attendance of esteemed MLAs will be marked in the House through this unique application. Punjab is the first state to adopt state of the art digitization process,” he said, adding that this new system will end the obsolete paper system resulting in saving the trees. “AAP Government has already presented two paperless budgets for the sake of the environment,” he added.
Under the NeVA Project, which introduces a range of digital functionalities, people will gain better access to legislative proceedings through live webcasting. Additionally, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat will switch to a more streamlined and paperless mode of operation, offering paperless facilities to members and staff.
Sandhwan acknowledged the tireless efforts of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the Government of India, the Department of Administrative Reforms, Punjab, and the Punjab Vidhan Sabha staff, whose diligent work had brought the project to fruition.
Expressing satisfaction on the adoption of this unique application, Sandhwan made a brief outlook about the working of this system saying that this step will prove a game-changer to save the environment as well as to provide accurate information in just a click.
Calling the present House as the most educated and young assembly with 11 qualified doctors, 14 post-graduates, 17 lawyers, the Speaker said that the NEVA Sewa Kendra has also been established here to impart training about this system to esteemed members. The Inter-Departmental Correspondence will also be converted into electronic mode soon.
During the special session of the two-day NeVA Conference-cum-Workshop on Thursday, Senior Director (IT) at NIC Sanjeev Kumar provided detailed insights into the NeVA Project's objectives and guidelines. He shared experiences from its implementation in various states, underscoring the transformative potential of the NeVA application.
As a part of the training program, MLAs received instruction on the NeVA mobile app's utilization. Mock sessions and interactive Q&A (question-answer) sessions were also conducted, ensuring that members were well-equipped to navigate the digital transition.
The Chief Minister further inaugurated the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Digital Wing, unveiled the Punjab Vidhan Sabha website, and released the NeVA brochure during the event. He also symbolically initiated the distribution of iPads to members, marking a significant step toward modernization. “The digital wings comprises IT Cell, NIC Cell, modern training room (NeVA Seva Kendra), hi-tech control room, network control room, among others,” said the Speaker.
The transformation of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha into a paperless institution aligns with broader environmental goals, contributing to the conservation of trees. Chief Minister Mann recalled his visit to the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, where he witnessed the digitalization of legislative proceedings and was inspired to replicate this system in Punjab with even more advanced tools.
This landmark transition heralds a new era for Punjab Vidhan Sabha, making it a trailblazer in digital governance and reinforcing its commitment to effective, transparent, and eco-friendly legislative operations.
