Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said that since the responsibility of enacting new laws lies with both the State Assemblies and Parliament, training legislators, especially new ones, is important to ensure they have a thorough understanding of legislative procedures. This, he said, will facilitate more informed discussions and dialogues on the bills introduced in the state assemblies, ultimately benefiting the public in the future. Democracy is strengthened through proficiency in legislative work, he added.
Birla made these remarks during a press conference after inaugurating a two-day orientation program, organized in collaboration with the Parliamentary Democracy Research and Training Institute (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha, at the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here in Chandigarh.
Speaker highlighted that the work of parliamentary committees functions like a mini-parliament. These committees not only review the budget but also play a crucial role in bringing transparency and ensuring accountability within the executive. He said that the more competent an elected representative is in legislative work, the better they will be able to meet public expectations and excel in leadership roles. He also said that, through PRIDE, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has organized training programs for legislative drafting in 15 states. The quality of legislative drafts directly impacts the public's benefit, he added.
Terming the deliberate deadlock in legislative work as inappropriate, Birla said that such conduct is not suitable for the country and the state. Planned deadlocks waste valuable legislative time. There should be better discussions and dialogues on all matters in the state assemblies. Referring to the two-day orientation program, he said that MLAs are elected by the public, and the public has high expectations from them. This training program has been organized with the goal of addressing key aspects such as raising public issues in the assembly and ensuring their resolution, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of government policies, the Speaker added.
House must run with spirit of unity rather than individual interests: CM Saini
Speaking on the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that legislature is one of the important pillars of democracy, and all members must work hard towards making it stronger. The role of elected representatives is not just to make laws but also to raise the voices of their constituents and work towards solving their problems effectively.
Saini said that the two-day programme would focus on brainstorming legislative procedures. All the members must realise the great responsibility given to them by the people and to act as true representatives of Haryana, beyond personal ideologies. Once inside the Assembly, members should prioritise the dignity, smooth functioning, and prestige of the House, said the Chief Minister. As the leader of the House, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that democratic traditions would be upheld, and discussions would be conducted with a spirit of unity rather than individual interests and every member’s voice in the assembly will be heard.
He stated that members must remember when they speak in the Assembly, they represent not just themselves but the voices of lakhs of citizens. The 14th Assembly held 16 sessions with 76 sittings were held, while the 13th had 15 sessions with 84 sittings. Similarly, 11 sessions and 56 sittings in the 12th Vidhan Sabha, 12 sessions and 70 sittings in the 11th Vidhan Sabha and 66 sittings in 14 sessions in the 10th Vidhan Sabha.
The Chief Minister said that all legislators will uphold the dignity of the House. He acknowledged that disagreements are natural in a democracy but maintaining decency is essential. He said that if everyone works with the spirit of "Nation First," every decision made in the Assembly will ultimately serve the best interests of the people.
