PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE CONSCIOUS OF EXPECTATIONS AND ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE: V-P
LAWS BEING PASSED SANS DETAILED DISCUSSIONS IS A MATTER OF CONCERN: LOK SABHA SPEAKER
By Andalib Akhter
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 83rd All India Presiding Officers in Jaipur today. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Speakers and Deputy Speakers of various Legislative Assemblies including the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman also present in the conference.
In his inaugural address, Vice President described India as the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and stressed that the essence of democracy lies in the prevalence of the mandate of the people and securing their welfare.
Expressing concern over the increasing instances of disruptions in Parliament and Legislatures, Mr Dhankhar urged the representatives to be conscious of the expectations and aspirations of the people. The Vice President hoped that the Conference would deliberate upon ways to urgently address these issues.
Emphasizing the need for harmonious relations between all organs of the State as envisaged in our constitution, the Vice President said that democracy sustains and blossoms when the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive act in tandem and togetherness to realize the aspirations of the people.
In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister arendra Modi said the role of our legislative bodies in strengthening and enriching the world’s largest democracy is commendable. The Prime Minister also said that the country is on the path of progress keeping pace with the changing world. In the last few years, from the maximum use of technology in the functioning of the legislature to the abolition of many irrelevant laws, we have continuously taken such steps to ensure a pleasant and positive change in the lives of the common man. He hoped that our legislatures will move forward more strongly in the progress of the country with modern changes in their functioning to protect the interests of the people.
The Prime Minister also said that in 21st century India, the aspirations of the people are increasing day by day. From our legislative institutions to administration, it is imperative for our systems to be more dynamic, responsive, and goal-oriented in law and policy formulation and their implementation to address the aspirational India. For today’s new India, we need to keep making institutions more effective, efficient and technologically rich, said the Prime Minister.
Addressing the conference, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said that the laws will be stronger and more effective if there is a substantial contribution of people. Speaker also expressed concern over the shrinking of time of debate and discussion in the house.
Birla said that the intention of our constitution makers was that our democratic institutions should work as effective institutions to ensure socio-economic change in the lives of common people. Mr Birla emphasized that there is a need to make Parliament and Legislatures more effective, responsive and productive. He suggested that it is the responsibility of the Presiding Officers to give adequate opportunities for the expression of the hopes, expectations and concerns of the citizens through the people’s representatives in the Legislatures. Birla also said that there should be active participation of the public in making progressive laws by the legislative bodies and youth and women should be involved in the process.
Deputy speaker Rajya sabha Harivansh, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot, Speaker Of Rajsthan Assembly and leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria also addressed the inaugural session of the conference. The closing ceremony of the conference will be held tomorrow (January 12). Governor of Rajasthan Kalraj Mishra will be the chief guest of the closing ceremony.
Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot; Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh and Speaker of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Dr. C.P. Joshi, also graced the Inaugural Session and addressed the distinguished gathering. 20 Presiding Officers participated in the inaugural session.
This 83rd Conference of All India Presiding Officers is being held in Rajasthan after eleven years. Earlier this conference was held in Rajasthan in the year 2011.