Om Birla advocates use of technology, says ‘one nation, one legislative platform’ will become reality in 2024

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday said Parliament, state assemblies and grassroots democratic institutions should communicate more with each other and advocated the use of technology by legislative bodies.

Addressing the 84th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference, he said the path of technology is the way of the future for legislatures and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘One Nation, One Legislative Forum’ will be made a reality this year.

Five resolutions were adopted at the conference, including recommending legislative bodies in the country to adopt and promote emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve productivity and engagement with citizens.

Birla said a model IT (information technology) policy would be prepared for legislative bodies.

He said that during the conference the presiding officers discussed action plans to connect democratic institutions with the public and make them more accountable and transparent.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said that the forced and planned adjournment of the House is a matter of concern for all stakeholders.

He said that democracy runs on public trust and confidence. It is the responsibility of democratic institutions to bring necessary changes in their working style and, if necessary, also amend the rules so that public confidence in these institutions increases.

During the conference, Birla appreciated the suggestion of establishing channels of communication between the democratic institutions at the Centre, the state and the grassroots level. Referring to the outreach programs organized by the Lok Sabha, he suggested that the state assemblies also organize similar initiatives.

Birla talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments during his video address at the conference on Saturday and said the Lok Sabha has achieved remarkable success in this direction through the ‘Digital Parliament’.

He stressed on the use of technology to make legislatures more effective and efficient.

“The path of technology is the path of the future and we must master the technology as soon as possible,” Birla said. He said the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘one nation, one legislative platform’ will become a reality in 2024.

Referring to the challenges posed by new technologies in the functioning of legislatures, Birla talked about telecasting and broadcasting of proceedings by the Speaker and said there is a need for an action plan in that direction.

Legislatures are platforms for uninterrupted discussion and there should be more debate and less disruption in the House, he said.

He urged the Presiding Officers to make action plans and strategies so that the time of the Assemblies can be utilized in debates and discussions for the welfare of the public.

Birla said parliamentary committees are the lifeblood of parliamentary processes and by enhancing their functionality, “we can ensure that they become powerful tools for effective governance and oversight of the executive”.

Five resolutions were adopted in the conference.

Parliament and State and Union Territory Legislatures have been urged to review and align the rules of procedure and conduct of business, keeping in view the current realities, so as to enable their effective functioning in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution Could.

Legislatures should take effective steps on capacity building of grassroots level Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies to help strengthen the vibrant and ancient democratic ethos of the country.

It was recommended that legislatures adopt and promote emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve efficiency, transparency, productivity and engagement with citizens.

The conference resolved to explore ways and means of improving the effectiveness of the executive in enforcing accountability.

It was also resolved to take proactive measures to implement ‘One Nation, One Legislative Platform’ for sharing of resources and experiences among legislatures and closer public engagement with citizens.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)