The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Friday selected senior BJP functionary and finance and parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Khanna as the first recipient of the newly instituted "Outstanding Legislator Award." The decision was taken during a meeting of the "Outstanding Legislator Committee" held at the Vidhan Bhawan on Friday under the chairmanship of assembly speaker Satish Mahana.
The meeting was attended by deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, leader of opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, senior legislators, and journalist Suresh Bahadur Singh. According to the official statement from Vidhan Sabha, this is the first time in the history of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly that a legislator has been selected for this honor. The provision for constituting a committee to select an outstanding legislator was incorporated into the Assembly rules in 2023.
Evaluation Criteria
The committee evaluates legislators based on their parliamentary knowledge, contribution to debates, role in committees, legislative conduct, and overall participation in the functioning of the House. Speaker Satish Mahana stated that recognizing exemplary legislators would inspire newly elected MLAs to improve their performance and make meaningful contributions to the Assembly.
The Vidhan Sabha described the initiative as a historic step in strengthening democratic and parliamentary traditions in the state legislature. It added that the proposal was discussed with chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who extended his support and guidance for the initiative.
Khanna's Selection
Khanna, a nine-time MLA from Shahjahanpur, was unanimously selected by the committee in view of his long legislative experience and contribution to parliamentary affairs. The committee acknowledged his deep understanding of legislative procedures, effective conduct in the House, and experience in both government and opposition roles.
This award marks a significant milestone in Uttar Pradesh's legislative history, aiming to encourage excellence among lawmakers and enhance the quality of deliberation in the Assembly.
