New Delhi [India]: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla voiced his concerns about the declining number of legislative sittings, planned disruptions in parliamentary proceedings, and the erosion of decorum in the Houses. Speaking at the inauguration of the 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) in Patna on Monday, Birla emphasized the need for reforms to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of legislative bodies.
Birla highlighted that legislatures are forums for debate and discussion, where legislators are expected to meet the aspirations of the people. However, he cautioned that the declining number of sittings is undermining their constitutional mandate. “It is imperative that lawmakers prioritize efficient scheduling and effective utilization of parliamentary time to address pressing national issues,” he stated.
Calling for an internal code of conduct for lawmakers, Birla said political parties should ensure their members uphold democratic values and maintain healthy parliamentary traditions. “People’s representatives should rise above political ideologies to follow constitutional propriety and express their viewpoints respectfully,” he added.
Birla urged Presiding Officers to uphold the Constitution’s spirit, establish good practices, and make legislatures more accountable. He called for local training platforms for state legislatures to enhance capacity building and urged greater use of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and social media to improve accessibility and transparency in legislative proceedings.
The Speaker noted that several Legislative Assemblies have already adopted paperless operations and mentioned that the “One Nation, One Legislative Platform” initiative would be operational by the end of 2025. “AI-based tools can enhance transparency and effectiveness in parliamentary and legislative processes, and India’s Parliament has already taken steps in this direction,” he said.
Birla also emphasized the need for better efficiency and accountability in legislative committees, proposing dialogues between committees across legislatures to align their work with ground realities for public welfare.
Referring to federalism, Birla observed that the autonomy of state legislatures, as outlined in the Constitution’s Seventh Schedule, is meaningful only when exercised impartially and with integrity. He called on state legislatures to frame policies addressing local needs while contributing to national progress.
“On issues of national interest, both the Centre and the States must collaborate with the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and cooperative federalism,” Birla stated.
The Speaker also unveiled the updated editions of Practice and Procedure of Parliament in English and Hindi, edited by Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh. The new editions aim to enhance understanding of parliamentary practices and governance among lawmakers and the public.
The inauguration of the 85th AIPOC was preceded by a meeting of its Standing Committee, chaired by Speaker Birla. The conference serves as a platform for Presiding Officers to deliberate on enhancing the functioning and decorum of legislative institutions across India.