Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday said a committee to review anti-defection law will be constituted soon. Birla said this on the concluding day of the 84th All India Presiding Officers Conference in Mumbai.
Birla informed that a Committee under the Chairmanship of Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Advocate Rahul Narwekar, will be constituted to review the Anti-Defection Law.
Vice President and Chairman Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankar delivered Valedictory Address. Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha Harivansh; Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rahul Narwekar; and Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis graced the Valedictory Session and addressed the distinguished dignitaries. 26 Presiding Officers from 18 States, including 16 Speakers attended the Conference.
In his address Dhankar recalled the spectacular Republic Day celebrations on Kartavya Path that revealed our exponential, phenomenal and all around growth, cutting edge of country’s woman power emerging as a unique feature besides the technological prowess, depth of Indian culture and upbeat mood of the nation.
“Disruption in legislatures is cancerous not only for legislatures but also for democracy and society. Curbing it is not optional but absolute necessity to save sanctity of legislature. No time is left we are perhaps cliffhanging and we need to awaken ourselves. It is alarmingly worrisome that disruption and disturbance in Legislatures- temples of democracy, have assumed monstrous dimensions posing existential challenge to these institutions,” the Chairman RÃ jya Sabha said.
Dhankar said it is high time for Presiding Officers to invoke their authority to ensure discipline and decorum as lack of these is virtually shaking the very foundations of Legislatures.
Referring to the observations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding making legislatures paperless in his video address on inaugural day, Birla informed that Lok Sabha has achieved remarkable success in this direction through Digital Parliament.
Mentioning about challenges posed by new technologies in the functioning of Legislatures, Birla spoke about telecast and broadcast of proceedings expunged by the Chair and observed that an action plan is required in this direction. Birla opined that media, including social media, should report authentic records of parliamentary proceedings.
On the day five tesolutions were adopted which were urge Parliament and State/UT Legislatures to review and align Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in accordance with the letter and spirit of our Constitution; encourage Parliament/State/UT Legislatures to take effective steps at capacity-building of grassroot Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies to further help strengthening the vibrant and ancient democratic ethos of our country; recommended legislative bodies to adopt and promote emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), for improving efficiency, transparency, productivity and engagement with citizens; recognising the important role of Legislative Committees and to
resolve that AIPOC will take pro-active measures to implement “One Nation One Legislative Platform” for resource and experience sharing between legislatures and closer public engagement with the citizens.
On the occasion RÃ jya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said
dissent in some form has always been part of the democratic set up, however, that must be within limits and adhere to the rules and procedures of the House.
“These days, disruptions start from the first few days of the session and continue for several days indicating that these disruptions are often planned and meant to interrupt the primary job of the legislature,” said Harivansh.
Harivansh urged to ensure better party coordination and consensus in smooth functioning of legislatures.