PARLIAMENTARY REPORT
to suspend the member for unruly behaviour, it was an awkward task for the Presiding Officer to do so. The suggestion was that there should be automatic suspension of the Member for coming into the Well of the House without involving the Presiding Officer. She said citizens had become well informed and they were watching the proceedings of the House. Smt. Sumitra Mahajan stated that when the members were elected to any representative institution, they should come with the purpose to serve the people, irrespective of the fact that some of them might not have voted for them. The Speaker suggested members should listen to the speeches of distinguished parliamentarians and observe their functioning to learn and become more effective legislators. The Chief Minister of
Uttar Pradesh, Shri Akhilesh Yadav, addressing the inaugural session, said the serious deliberations that took place in these conferences had contributed significantly to the consistent growth of democracy. Such conferences not only helped in facilitating the process of deliberations on issues related to the procedural rules but also in bringing uniformity in the functioning of State legislatures. The Speaker, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Shri Mata Prasad Pandey delivered the welcome address at the inaugural function. The Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, Shri Ganesh Shanker Pandey proposed the vote of thanks.
Initiating the discussion on the first agenda item the Role of Parliament in
INDIA Shri Akhilesh Yadav
Development the Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly, Dr Charanjeet Singh Atwal said development had become the keyword in each and every political discourse including elections, all over the country. Legislatures had a significant responsibility for promoting, protecting and realizing human rights through their functions of law-making, oversight and representation. Only strong parliamentary institutions could help to build and solidify democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Emphasizing that legislatures which promote genuine development-oriented public life need to be applauded and followed. As many as 17 Presiding Officers participated and deliberated on the issue. Initiating the discussion on the second subject of the Agenda Paperless Parliament on 1 February, The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan observed the present-day was technology driven and most of the information was flowing through the internet. It was time for the legislatures to start using information and communication technology in their working with a view to usher in an era of transparency, faster communication and, ultimately, to reduce the use of paper and move towards paperless legislatures.
58| The Parliamentarian | 2015: Issue One
Talking about the numerous advantages of using computers and laptops, she observed that with these technologies, it was also possible to remain connected and do the work while on the move. Preservation of old records had also become easier. Various Presiding Officers participated in the discussion. The Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Shri Brij Behari Lal Butail informed the august gathering that their Legislative Assemblies had gone totally paperless in their functioning. Some Presiding Officers,
however, mentioned about the challenges and disadvantages in going totally paperless. It was pointed out that the technology needed to be constantly upgraded, training was required and there was need to maintain tight cyber security. Later, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan observed that all the Presiding Officers at least agreed upon the very basic idea of reducing the use of paper to the maximum extent possible, keeping in view that this would be eco- friendly as well as fiscally prudent initiative. There was a broad consensus among the participants to move towards using less paper and gradually make the legislatures paperless. Addressing the concluding session of the conference, Uttar Pradesh Governor, Shri Ram Naik said that smooth functioning of the House was essential for a healthy democracy. He believed the conference would prove to be a milestone in many ways in the annals of parliamentary history.
In her concluding remarks, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, said that it was a matter of immense satisfaction that within the limited time available, the Conference had very meaningful and constructive deliberations on both the items on the Agenda, namely, Role of Parliament in Development and Paperless Parliament. Thirty-three Presiding Officers and 49 delegates from various states participated in the Conference. The Presiding Officers’
Conference was preceded by the 55th Conference of Secretaries of Legislative Bodies in India which was inaugurated by the Secretary- General, Lok Sabha, Shri Anoop Mishra on 30 January 2015, in the Vidhan Parishad Chamber of Vidhan Bhawan. The Secretaries’ Conference was attended by the Secretary- General of Rajya Sabha, Shri Shumsher K. Sheriff as well as the Principal Secretaries and Secretaries from State Legislatures in India. The conference discussed and deliberated upon various issues relating to practice and procedures of conduct of business in our legislative bodies. These included the need for a broad- based Question Procedure; Question of Privilege; whether ratification of a constitution amendment Bill under article 368 by State Legislatures may include a proposal for amendments also?; Prioritization of Notices to be done by ballots/lots or be left to the discretion of the Speaker?; Legislature and Information Technology; and Discussion of the Secretaries’ Conference-Follow up mechanism generated much discussion among participants.
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