Guwahati, Dec 24 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said planned disruptions are not the way to conduct business in the House which must run through collective will and consensus.
Speaking to legislators at the Assam Assembly here, Birla said parliamentary democracy can only be strengthened through meaningful debate.
He emphasized that democracy in India is a way of life and difference of views and ideology is natural in a functional democracy and should be reflected in the form of healthy debates.
“I am concerned that the levels of the debates are falling in both Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha. We came here as public representatives to make laws for the people who have selected us. We should always debate and discuss issues keeping citizens at the centre,” Birla said.
A tumultuous winter session of Parliament came to an end on Wednesday, a day ahead of schedule, with the government and the opposition accusing each other of creating conditions that disallowed proper functioning of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
The Session, which began on November 29, saw the Rajya Sabha recording 48 per cent productivity and the Lok Sabha managing 82 per cent.
While the Lok Sabha lost around 18 hours and 48 minutes, the Rajya Sabha wasted 45 hours and 34 minutes because of disruptions.
The turbulence continued throughout the session due to the confrontation between the ruling and opposition benches over various issues and 12 members of the Rajya Sabha were suspended on December 1 for the entire session.
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Birla called upon the leaders of political parties and members to work for strengthening democracy and democratic institutions.
The Speaker noted that the smooth conduct of the House is the responsibility of all stakeholders and the House must be run in accordance with the collective will and consensus.
He also said the parliamentary committee should act as a mini assembly to know the opinion of the common public on various issues.
Birla is the first Lol Sabha Speaker to visit the Assam assembly and officially launched the Assam Legislative Digital TV in the Central Hall of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
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