Chandigarh, Feb 14: On Friday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed that while agreements and disagreements are integral to a functioning democracy, a “planned deadlock,” whether occurring in Vidhan Sabhas or Parliament, is detrimental.
Birla made these remarks to reporters while attending a two-day orientation program for members of the Haryana Legislative Assembly, which began on Friday.
“Discussion and dialogue form the essence of democracy. Both agreement and disagreement contribute to its strength, but I believe that deliberate deadlocks in either Vidhan Sabhas or Parliament are inappropriate for a democratic setup,” Birla stated.
He pointed out that the rise in intentional deadlocks is harmful both for the nation and individual states, as they disrupt parliamentary proceedings and waste valuable time, affecting legislative business.
Birla highlighted the pride of India being the largest democracy in the world, noting that since Independence, new laws have been enacted with the guidance of the Constitution in state assemblies and Parliament. He mentioned the removal of unnecessary colonial laws and the creation of new legislation that meets contemporary needs.
He stressed the essential role of a state assembly and Lok Sabha in lawmaking, advocating for thorough discussions and debates to ensure quality legislation.
Addressing legislators, he remarked that people elect them with high hopes and aspirations, and these elected representatives must strive to address the concerns of their constituents.
While they may serve in Vidhan Sabhas, they also carry the responsibility of leading their states and should engage in discussions concerning significant issues, policies, and plans.
Birla underscored the necessity for constructive dialogues within Vidhan Sabhas, emphasizing the importance of orientation programs in this context. He noted that the Haryana Vidhan Sabha is increasing the frequency of sittings, promoting discussions, and implementing paperless technology.
He also mentioned that the parliamentary committees of Vidhan Sabhas act similarly to a mini Parliament, playing a vital role in enhancing transparency within the executive branch.
In response to a query, he highlighted the need for comprehensive discussions and debates on draft bills within the House, criticizing the practice in some states where a bill is introduced in the morning and passed by evening. “That is not appropriate,” he asserted.
The orientation program, inaugurated by Birla, is set to conclude on Saturday. During this two-day event, members of the Haryana Legislative Assembly will receive briefings on various topics, including executive accountability, the role of ministers in legislative processes, and parliamentary privileges, according to a statement. This program is organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), in collaboration with the Haryana Legislative Assembly Secretariat, and it includes 40 first-time members of the 15th Legislative Assembly of Haryana. (Agencies)
