The three-day 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) concluded in Lucknow on Wednesday. In his concluding address, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that a ‘National Legislative Index’ will be prepared to make the legislature more effective, people-friendly, and accountable, which will promote healthy competition, improve the quality of debate, and enhance efficiency among legislatures across the country. He also informed about the formation of a committee in this regard.
Birla said that a minimum of 30 sittings should be ensured annually in the state legislatures so that the legislatures can become an effective platform for expressing the expectations and aspirations of the people. He said that the more the House functions, the more meaningful, serious, and result-oriented discussions will be possible.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also addressed a press conference. Responding to a question about ensuring the smooth functioning of the House during the upcoming budget session, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that continuous planned disruptions and disturbances in the House are not appropriate for the country’s democracy. When there is disruption in the House, the citizen whose problem was to be discussed suffers the most. He said that we need to strengthen the culture of discussion and dialogue, not disruption.
He appealed to the leaders and members of all parties to cooperate in the smooth functioning of the House and said that in a democracy, the people are supreme, and our accountability to the public is not only during elections but every day and every moment.
Birla said that presiding officers are not merely conductors of proceedings, but they are also guardians of the Constitution and protectors of democratic norms. Their impartiality, sensitivity, and firmness determine the direction of the House.
Six resolutions were passed at the conference. 36 presiding officers from 24 states and union territories of the country participated in this conference. Thus, in terms of participation, the 86th AIPOC was the largest conference to date. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that platforms like the All India Presiding Officers’ Conference enhance cooperation among democratic institutions, strengthen mutual coordination, and prove instrumental in making the governance system more effective.
Birla expressed his gratitude to the Uttar Pradesh government, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the Legislative Council, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats, and all the participating presiding officers and representatives for the successful organization of the conference.
