CHANDIGARH: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has expressed concern over frequent disruptions in legislative bodies, describing them as a serious challenge to democratic institutions. He emphasized that restoring and strengthening public trust in democratic processes remains one of the foremost responsibilities of elected representatives.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the Second Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-II (North Zone) in Chandigarh, Speaker Om Birla said that legislative institutions must lead by example through meaningful debate, constructive dialogue and conduct that reflects public expectations. The two-day conference concluded on Tuesday after deliberations involving lawmakers and presiding officers from several states.
Lok Sabha Speaker Birla noted that democratic institutions derive their strength from public confidence and that lawmakers should strive to maintain the highest standards of conduct. According to him, the behavior of elected representatives has a direct influence on society and therefore carries a significant responsibility toward ensuring public welfare.
The Speaker of Lok Sabha highlighted that the vision of a developed India, or “Viksit Bharat,” can only be achieved through strong parliamentary and legislative institutions. He stressed the importance of enhancing citizen participation, adopting modern technologies, improving the capacity of legislators and promoting greater awareness of constitutional values and institutions.
“India of the 21st century is aspirational. People have elected their representatives with immense trust, and it is our responsibility to strengthen democratic institutions through active public participation,”Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said.
Referring to the conference proceedings, LS Speaker Birla said that discussions and exchanges among policymakers and public representatives from different states resulted in four key resolutions aimed at making legislative bodies more accountable, transparent and citizen-centric. He expressed confidence that these resolutions would provide a strong framework for the future development of democratic institutions in the country.
He further emphasized that the goal of a developed India can only be realized through the balanced and holistic development of states. In a federal system, he said, cooperation between the Centre and the states is essential to meet public aspirations through effective laws, policies and welfare initiatives. He called for fresh thinking and innovative approaches to governance in order to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
LS Speaker Birla also described disruptions in legislative bodies as a major challenge, stating, “The solution lies with legislators themselves. Their conduct, accountability, and commitment are essential to strengthening public trust.”
LS Speaker OM Birla also underlined the need to place the aspirations of young people and women at the heart of policymaking. He advocated greater participation of youth and women in democratic processes and stressed the importance of constitutional literacy and civic responsibility from an early age. According to him, empowering these sections of society is critical for the country’s long-term progress.
The conference brought together presiding officers from legislative bodies across 12 states. Apart from member states of CPA Zone-II—Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Delhi—representatives from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Sikkim and West Bengal also took part in the discussions.
Among the prominent participants were Harivansh, Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan and Deputy Speaker Krishan Lal Middha. The conference concluded with a collective commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing public engagement in governance.
The four resolutions adopted at the conference focused on deepening engagement between legislators and citizens, strengthening lawmakers’ capacity through training and research support, improving legislative oversight to boost public trust, and promoting the use of digital technologies, artificial intelligence and data-driven governance for greater transparency and efficiency.
The conference concluded with a shared resolve to build stronger legislative institutions capable of supporting India’s democratic aspirations and long-term development goals.
