LS Speaker Om Birla sets agenda for Legislative reforms at AIPOC closing session

The 84th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) which was inaugurated on January 27, 2024, concluded on Sunday.
The Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar delivered the valedictory address. Governor of Maharashtra, Ramesh Bais; Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla; Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh; Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Rahul Narvekar; And Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis were present at the concluding session and addressed the dignitaries. 26 Presiding Officers from 18 States including 16 Presidents participated in this conference. Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla said, “In this two-day conference with presiding officers action plans to connect democratic institutions with the public and make them more accountable and transparent was discussed at length.”
The Speaker said that democracy runs on the trust and confidence of the public, hence it is the responsibility of the democratic institutions to bring necessary changes in their working style and if necessary and also amend the rules so that public confidence in these institutions increases.
Referring to the best practices of legislative bodies, Birla appreciated the suggestion to establish a dialogue between the Centre, State and grassroots-level democratic institutions. In this regard, he referred to the outreach programs organized by the Lok Sabha and suggested that the State Legislatures should also organize similar programs.
Emphasizing, the use of technology to make legislatures more effective and efficient, Birla said that Lok Sabha has received suggestions from some state legislatures to make a model IT policy and share them with the state legislative bodies. He further informed that this suggestion will be discussed in detail and appropriate action will be taken.
Mentioning the comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding making legislatures paperless in his video address, Birla informed that Lok Sabha has achieved remarkable success in this direction through Digital Parliament.
He further added that the path of technology is the future pathway and proficiency in technology is indispensable. The Prime Minister’s dream of ‘One Nation, One Legislative Platform’ will come true in 2024.

Resolutions adopted

• To urge Parliament and State/UT Legislatures to review and align Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
• Encourage Parliament/State/UT Legislatures to take effective steps at capacity-building of grassroots Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies.
• Recommend Legislative bodies in India to adopt and promote emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Recognising the important role of Legislative Committees.
• Pledge that AIPOC will take proactive measures to implement “One Nation One Legislative Platform”.

Topics discussed

1. To strengthen people’s trust in democratic institutions
2. How to make the Committee