Stating that agreement and disagreement between the Treasury and the Opposition benches as soul of parliamentary democracy, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday said that disagreement should be within the ambit of dignity and decorum of the house.
Stressing on the importance of dignity and decorum of legislatures, Om Birla urged the members to utilize the forum of the house to articulate the hopes and aspirations of the people.
It is very important that dissent is expressed within the established parameters of parliamentary dignity and decorum, the Lok Sabha Speaker said.
“When it comes to national interest, all the Members should work collectively to achieve that goal without being guided by partisan politics,” counseled Birla.
Highlighting the dignity of the Chair in the House as paramount, he suggested that members of both sides in the house must respect decisions of the Chair.
The Lok Sabha Speaker was speaking after inaugurating a two day Orientation Programme for Members of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly at the Assembly premises, an official statement said.
Birla said that respect for the Chair will strengthen people’s faith in democratic institutions and advised the members to denounce the tactics of disruption and to adopt the path of debate and discussion.
Fruitful debates in the house will pave the way to solve people’s issues, he noted.
The Speaker urged the Members of Chhattisgarh Assembly to conduct in such a manner so as to set an ideal for other legislatures.
Speaking on the role of legislators as law makers and people’s representatives, Birla noted that success of people’s representatives is measured by their faithful articulation of the issues of the people.
He suggested the Members to actively and forcefully articulate the issues and concerns of the people and to dedicate themselves for their welfare and progress of the state and the nation.
The LS Speaker mentioned that legislators, in order to be more effective, must acquaint themselves with the subjects and the rules. Adding that members should spend more time in the house and learn from others’ experience and expertise.
He also advised the members to use technology for effectively discharging their responsibilities and to connect with the people.
Birla expressed happiness that in the newly constituted Assembly, the number of women legislators has increased from 18 per cent to 21 per cent compared to the last Assembly.
Mentioning about the economic potential of Chhattisgarh, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that the young state has progressed with great momentum since its creation.
Speaking on the occasion, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said that Birla, as Speaker, has created history in Lok Sabha by giving opportunity to every member and by raising the confidence of the members in the House.
Present were Dr Charan Das Mahant, Leader of Opposition , Brijmohan Agrawal, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Education, Culture and Tourism and other dignitaries.
