Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla voiced serious concerns about the shrinking duration of legislative sessions in state assemblies. He emphasized that brief four to five day sittings fail to provide adequate time for members to address public issues effectively.
Conference Inauguration in Lucknow
The 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference commenced with a formal inauguration in Lucknow on Monday. Governor Anandiben Patel inaugurated the three-day event. Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Satish Mahana, Vidhan Parishad Chairman Kunwar Manvendra, and Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey.
Birla stressed the crucial role of legislative members as conduits for public voices to reach the government. He argued that meaningful, result-oriented discussions can only occur when House proceedings extend over sufficient time.
Historical Context of the Conference
This marks the fourth occasion that Lucknow hosts the All India Presiding Officers Conference. The city previously organized the event in December 1961, October 1985, and January-February 2015. Uttar Pradesh Speaker Satish Mahana noted that Lucknow last hosted the conference in 2015. Under normal rotation, the city might have waited fifteen to twenty years for another opportunity.
Mahana revealed that he personally requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to grant Lucknow another chance to host the conference. Birla readily agreed to this request, allowing the event to return to the city much sooner than expected.
Support for Longer Sessions
Governor Anandiben Patel echoed Birla's concerns about short assembly sessions. She expressed hope that the three-day conference would reach concrete conclusions about extending House proceedings. Patel agreed that sessions lasting merely four to five days rarely give legislators enough time to raise important matters.
Interestingly, even before Birla's remarks, Uttar Pradesh's Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey made a similar appeal. Pandey requested all presiding officers, the Lok Sabha Speaker, and the Governor to ensure that House sessions function according to established timeframes in legislative rules.
Emphasis on Authenticity and Responsibility
In his address, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also highlighted the importance of maintaining authenticity in House functioning. He noted that we live in an era of information overload from multiple sources. With rapid technological advancements in communication, every legislator faces constant public scrutiny.
This environment demands more responsible behavior from public representatives, Birla emphasized. He stated that conferences like the All India Presiding Officers Conference strengthen cooperation between democratic institutions. Such gatherings ultimately make governance more effective and responsive to public needs.
Conference Agenda and Developments
The remaining two days of the conference will feature sessions on several important topics. These include technological interventions in House functioning, capacity building for legislators, and enhancing assembly accountability toward the public. The event also saw the inauguration of a new light and sound show for the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha building.
Birla concluded that extended legislative sessions would allow more thorough discussion of public issues. He urged all state assemblies to recognize that brief sessions undermine democratic deliberation and public representation.
