Political parties urged to create internal conduct codes by Om Birla
The two-day 85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference also adopted a five-point resolution that included a collective resolve to take steps to ensure disruption-free debate and discussion in House
Amid disruptions in Parliament and state legislatures, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday urged political parties to devise a code of conduct for their lawmakers to uphold the dignity of their respective Houses.
85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference
The two-day 85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference also adopted a five-point resolution that included a collective resolve to take steps to ensure "disruption-free" debate and discussion in their respective legislatures. The presiding officers agreed to deploy technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to bring legislative bodies closer to the people by making available debates in the local and two additional languages, Birla said.
Concern Over Declining Number of Sittings
The presiding officers voiced concern over the decline in the number of sittings of state legislatures and agreed to implement the resolutions of previous meetings. "In an earlier meeting of the presiding officers, we had resolved that the state legislatures would hold at least 60 sittings in a calendar year. We have agreed to make efforts to implement the resolution," Birla told in an interview. Making a strong pitch for an internal code of conduct by political parties for their elected representatives, Birla said such an approach could lead to fewer disruptions in legislative bodies.
Media's Role in Legislative Conduct
Birla also urged the media not to glorify lawmakers for disrupting House proceedings and write more frequently against unruly conduct during sessions of Parliament and state legislatures. "Don't make heroes out of those who disrupt proceedings," the Lok Sabha speaker said. The two-day conference was attended by 41 presiding officers who expressed their views on "75th Anniversary of Constitution: Contribution of Parliament and State Legislative Bodies in Strengthening Constitutional Values."
Birla also urged state legislatures to strengthen the committee system, which acts as mini-parliaments, and help in holding elected governments accountable to the people.
(Except for the headline, nothing has been changed by All India News Network in the PTI copy.)
