Speaker Om Birla in Gujarat Assembly
– Photo: Agency
Expansion
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the orientation program organized for the members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. State Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Gujarat Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chowdhary were also present on the occasion. Addressing the program, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, the 15th Assembly of Gujarat is a unique combination of youth power and experience. This time there are 82 newly elected members in the assembly. 15 women have been elected. Of these, 8 have become members for the first time. It is a matter of great happiness.
Referring to the role of elected representatives, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that being people’s representatives, they have a huge responsibility to solve the problems of the voters. That’s why there should be discussion and dialogue in the legislatures. The level of discussion in the House should be of the highest level. The higher the level of discussion and dialogue in the State Legislatures. The more the laws become better. In order to have a meaningful discussion in the House, it is necessary that the members are aware of the rules and procedures. Therefore, the House should become an effective center of discussion and dialogue so that our democracy becomes strong.
Referring to the role of Presiding Officers, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that it is the responsibility of the Presiding Officer to work towards increasing the dignity of the House. The decline in the level of discussion in the Houses and the decline in the dignity of the House is a matter of concern for us. An excellent legislator is one who participates in excellent quality discussions and dialogues and enhances the prestige of the House. Members should back up their views with facts as arguments based on baseless allegations undermine democracy.
Expressing his views on the role of the opposition in a democracy, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that the role of the opposition should be positive, constructive and ensure accountability in governance. But the way in which the tradition of adjourning the proceedings of the Houses is being established by obstructing the proceedings of the Houses in a planned manner, it is not appropriate for democracy. There should be discussion, debate, disagreement in the House, but there should never be a deadlock in the House. He also urged the members to study the rules and procedures of the House and the debates of previous years.
Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that the more familiar the members are with the rules, procedures and debates held over the years, the richer their speeches would be. No one can become a great legislator by raising slogans and obstructing the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. Referring to ‘One Nation, One Digital Platform’, he said, work is going on in line with the vision of the Prime Minister to bring together the debates and discussions on laws passed by all the State Assemblies on a single platform. In this context, the Lok Sabha Speaker stressed on the use of technology and strengthening research work to improve the efficiency of legislatures. Speaking about India’s G-20 chairmanship, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that it is a historic opportunity to showcase India’s rich democratic tradition and cultural heritage.