Special Correspondent
Panaji
Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla on Friday said that although disagreement and dissent are essential components of a vibrant democracy, the “planned disruptions” are inappropriate and detrimental to the health of parliamentary institutions.
Speaking to mediapersons after the conclusion of the first conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Zone VII – India Region, in the city, Birla urged legislators to prioritise meaningful dialogue and logic over slogans and placards.
The conference, which brought together 51 representatives from Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, focused on the role of young legislators in achieving the goals of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and addressing regional challenges like coastal connectivity.
The Lok Sabha Speaker noted that the legislative bodies of the three coastal states are increasingly looking toward ‘blue economy’, as also using modern port technology to transform coastal areas into international trade gateways, for the purpose of generating employment opportunities.
Addressing concerns regarding parliamentary conduct, Birla said the business advisory committee of the Lok Sabha has reached a consensus to strictly prohibit banners, placards and un-parliamentary language within the House as also campus of the Parliament.
“The House is a platform for debate, and while ideologies may differ, our primary responsibility is to remain accountable to the people through reasoned discussion,” he remarked.
The Speaker also highlighted the successful passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023, which grants 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
He expressed optimism that continued political consensus would ensure the effective implementation of this landmark constitutional amendment for enhancing women’s participation in governance.
On the technological front, Birla detailed the ‘Digital Sansad’ initiative, aimed at integrating all state assemblies onto a single digital platform. He noted that the Lok Sabha has moved towards paperless operations, utilising WhatsApp and web portals to provide members with bills, Budget documents and answers to questions in real-time.
Furthermore, it was informed that the AI technology is being deployed to provide parliamentary documents in 10 languages, while simultaneous interpretation is available in 22 languages to bridge regional divides.
When asked about allegations of bias against him by the Opposition, Birla asserted that as a presiding officer, he strives to remain impartial and neutral.
Replying to another question, he said that India’s strength lies in its youth, who play a vital role in democracy and nation-building, and that young Indians have historically driven change, from the freedom struggle to modern development.
Speaker of the Goa legislative Assembly Ganesh Gaonkar and Secretary General of Lok Sabha Utpal Kumar Singh were present at the briefing.
