Chandigarh, February 14
Lok Sabha Speaker, Sh. Om Birla said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana is continuously progressing on the path of development. Whether it is infrastructural development or the social and economic landscape, Haryana is making strides in every sector today, he said.
The Lok Sabha Speaker was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day Orientation Programme organized for the Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly of Haryana in the State Legislature Premises, Chandigarh, on Friday. Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sh. Satish Mahana, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Dr. Krishan Lal Middha, and MLA Sh. B.B. Batra attended the programme.
The said Orientation Programme is being organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat in collaboration with the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Secretariat.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said that Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has extensive experience in both democratic institutions— Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha—and with this experience, he will provide guidance to the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.
Sh. Om Birla also highlighted Haryana’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, along with its glorious history of athletes, freedom fighters, and valour. He said that despite being a small state, Haryana has always carved out a distinct identity for itself at the national and global levels. It was from the land of Haryana that Lord Shri Krishna delivered the message of Karma (duty), he said.
The Lok Sabha Speaker further said that the Haryana Vidhan Sabha has a significant legacy, and the development model it has presented serves as a guiding example for other states. He emphasized that legislators have played a crucial role in this journey of progress.
*Legislators have the responsibility to fulfill the expectations and aspirations of the public- Lok Sabha Speaker*
Sh. Om Birla said that the people have elected legislators to the Assembly with trust and confidence, and it is a matter of pride that 40 MLAs have been elected to the Haryana Vidhan Sabha for the first time. He said that legislators have the responsibility to fulfill the expectations and aspirations of the public. He said that as members of the Vidhan Sabha, legislators do not just represent a single constituency but lead the entire state.
The Lok Sabha Speaker stressed the importance of reviewing past discussions, dialogues, and debates while formulating effective laws. To achieve this, efforts are being made to maintain a digital record of discussions and deliberations on policy making and planning from previous assemblies. This digital archive of all state legislatures will be available on a single platform, allowing members to study it and provide meaningful suggestions.
He further said that while drafting legislation, it is essential to incorporate positive suggestions from members. Sometimes, shortcomings in legislative drafts affect the functioning of the government and impact the public. Therefore, these drafts should be circulated among members so that their expertise and experience can further refine and improve them.
(Public participation and activeness in Democracy will bring transparency in Governance*
Sh. Om Birla said that state legislatures should conduct comprehensive reviews of policies and schemes. He said that there should be an in-depth study of state issues and the more effectively constituency and state issues are raised in the assembly, the more positive changes will occur. He said that whether it is Parliament or the Legislative Assembly, these democratic institutions serve as platforms that enable the government to understand the problems of every sector and every section of society. By taking this information positively, the government can function more effectively. The greater the participation and activeness of the public in democracy, the more transparency there will be in governance.
He emphasized that a public representative is best positioned to assess whether the laws, policies, and schemes formulated by the government and legislatures are being implemented effectively on the ground. The more thorough the review in the assembly, the better governance will function, ensuring accountability.
He further stated that a good legislator is one who not only raises the issues of their constituency during assembly sessions but also engages in meaningful discussions in the house. He noted that there will be many challenges and difficulties in social life, and their solutions will emerge from these legislative bodies. In this era of information technology, it is crucial to have meaningful discussions in the assembly with innovative approaches so that the path to public welfare can be paved effectively.
*India has shown the World – Democracy is the supreme form of Governance- Lok Sabha Speaker*
Sh. Om Birla stated that both the ruling party and the opposition are the strengths of democracy, and India has demonstrated to the world that democracy is the highest form of governance. Despite its diversity, it is democratic principles that have united the nation.
He emphasized that engaging in meaningful discussions within legislative bodies enhances leadership skills. All members must think about how legislative institutions can be utilized more effectively for public welfare. He expressed hope that new members would gain knowledge from the experiences of senior legislators and contribute to strengthening the democratic system.
He also appreciated that the Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, is making continuous efforts to ensure that the proceedings of the House are conducted meaningfully.
The Lok Sabha Speaker noted that in Haryana, pre-budget meetings are held where legislators and other stakeholders provide suggestions, which are then incorporated into policy and planning. He further highlighted that parliamentary committees assess the impact of budgetary allocations on the social and economic lives of citizens. Therefore, post-budget discussions in parliamentary committees should be maximized to evaluate the effectiveness of the budget.
He added that during this two-day programme, experts will provide insights into legislative procedures, helping members enhance their understanding and efficiency. This will further strengthen public trust and confidence in their elected representatives.
