The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) was inaugurated in Lucknow on Monday. The three-day national conference was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session. On the occasion, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana read out a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, conveying his greetings and best wishes for the successful organisation of the conference.
Addressing the gathering, Om Birla said that the conduct of a Presiding Officer must remain above party politics and be fair and impartial, while also appearing to be so. He underlined that legislatures serve as the primary platform through which the aspirations and concerns of the people reach the government.
The Lok Sabha Speaker expressed concern over the declining time devoted to the functioning of State Legislatures. He stressed the need to ensure fixed and adequate sittings, stating that longer House proceedings allow for more meaningful, serious, and outcome-oriented discussions.
Referring to the growing influence of information technology and social media, Om Birla said that public representatives remain under constant public scrutiny, making adherence to parliamentary decorum and discipline essential. He added that maintaining the credibility of legislative institutions is a collective responsibility, especially in an era of rapid information flow.
He noted that forums such as the All India Presiding Officers’ Conference help promote cooperation among democratic institutions, strengthen coordination, and contribute to more effective governance. Such platforms, he said, also help bring greater harmony in policy approaches and welfare measures across the country.
Om Birla further observed that Presiding Officers have a responsibility to provide adequate opportunities to all members of the House, particularly new and young legislators, to ensure that legislatures remain effective forums for raising public issues.
Over the next two days, plenary sessions will be held on subjects including the use of technology in legislative processes, capacity building of legislators, and legislative accountability to the people.
This is the fourth time Uttar Pradesh is hosting the All India Presiding Officers’ Conference. Earlier editions were held in the state in December 1961, October 1985, and January–February 2015.
Presiding Officers from the Legislative Assemblies of 28 States, three Union Territories, and six Legislative Councils are participating in the conference, which focuses on strengthening legislative practices and democratic institutions. The conference will conclude on January 21.
