Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday reiterated the need to set common standards in the functioning of legislative institutions, emphasising excellence, innovation and the effective use of technology to strengthen democratic governance.
Addressing plenary deliberations on the second day of the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) in Lucknow, Birla said healthy competition among State Legislatures on parameters such as efficiency, transparency and innovation would improve legislative performance across the country.
The day-long deliberations focused on three key themes: leveraging technology for transparent, efficient and citizen-centric legislative processes; capacity building of legislators to enhance efficiency; and strengthening the accountability of legislatures towards the people. The discussions were moderated by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
Commending the initiatives taken by Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Birla appreciated efforts to integrate best practices adopted by legislatures across the country. He also lauded the recognition of educational qualifications and professional experience of MLAs and their constructive use in legislative functioning.
Recalling deliberations at earlier AIPOCs, including the 2019 conference in Dehradun, the Lok Sabha Speaker reiterated his long-standing views on improving the efficiency of State Legislatures. He informed that a committee has been constituted to examine issues related to the standardisation of practices and procedures of legislative bodies in India.
Highlighting the role of technology, Birla underlined the importance of adopting digital tools to enhance transparency and public engagement in legislative processes.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh highlighted the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving legislative efficiency and outlined the steps required to ensure its appropriate and reliable use. He stressed the need for greater coordination between Parliament and State Legislatures so that institutional knowledge and technological innovations can be shared effectively.
The conference will conclude on January 21, with Om Birla delivering the valedictory address. The closing ceremony will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who will also address the gathering.
