A delegation of 28 participants from 13 countries attending the 36th International Training Programme in Legislative Drafting met Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi during their visit to India. The programme, which is being held from April 16 to 21, is organised in collaboration with the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) under the Lok Sabha.
In his address to the visiting delegates from countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Maldives, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, Chief Secretary Rastogi stressed the critical need for inclusive and stakeholder-driven legislation.
“The contours of any law can only be crafted effectively by listening to the voices of all stakeholders,” he said.
“Legislation must capture the aspirations and emotions of society to remain relevant and effective.”
Rastogi praised the Indian Constitution as a guiding framework for lawmaking, describing it as a “meticulously drafted document” with clearly defined processes that ensure laws are both robust and adaptable.
During the interaction, Rastogi also presented the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to the foreign delegates, stating:
“The Mahabharata is a story beyond imagination, and the Gita lays down the great principle of Karma.”
He also highlighted Haryana’s progressive status, noting its high per capita income and strong tax collection despite its relatively small size.
The training programme aims to enhance legislative drafting expertise among international participants and includes advanced drafting techniques, comparative studies, and the integration of technology into legislative processes.
Alejandro Nicolas Weisson Nemalceff, Director of Ecuador’s Financial Policy and Regulation Body, thanked the Chief Secretary, saying:
“This programme has not only made us better professionals but also better human beings. The warmth and kindness of the Indian people have made this visit truly memorable.”
Former Secretary of the Legislative Department, KN Chaturvedi, provided an overview of the month-long course, while senior officials including Principal Secretary D Suresh and Special Secretary Aditya Dahiya were present.
Earlier, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had also underlined the importance of aligning the language of laws with the emotional and social realities of the people.