Addressing the India region chapter of a top international grouping at Parliament House on Monday, the Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Narendra Singh Tomar, shared his views on the role of legislatures in achieving sustainable development goals.
In his address at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference, Tomar stated that Parliament and the Assembly are the foundations of democratic governance. He noted that Panchayati Raj institutions also underpin democracy; however, they operate based on the acts created by Parliament and the Assembly.
The conference was honorably presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla.
The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, along with the Speakers of various state assemblies and principal secretaries of legislative assemblies, were also present. The Principal Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretariat, AP Singh, and other officials attended the conference.Tomar emphasized the essential role of the legislature in achieving sustainable and inclusive development, which will benefit the nation.
Expressing satisfaction over the strides taken by India towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Tomar said, "We are progressing rapidly. All states are working at their respective levels to achieve these goals.
Both Parliament and the Assemblies have their roles in empowering democracy. Our legislature has always prioritized the SDGs."He noted that as a result of Parliament abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Scheduled Castes and Tribes there have benefited from reservations. Similarly, Parliament has paved the way for women's empowerment through the Nari Shakti Vandan Act.
Speaker Tomar mentioned that the Madhya Pradesh Assembly is the first in the country to have made provisions in law for the death penalty for those convicted of rape and to expedite such cases in fast-track courts.He concluded by stating that to build a developed India by 2047, all state legislatures should strive towards achieving the SDGs.
