Lucknow: Calling for innovation, meaningful dialogue, and the use of modern technology, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla presented a clear roadmap to strengthen democratic institutions while addressing the valedictory session of the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) in Lucknow. He emphasized that legislatures must become more effective, accountable, transparent, and aligned with public aspirations to reinforce people’s faith in democracy.
Addressing presiding officers and representatives from across the country, Birla said the deliberations at the conference had gone beyond discussion and were focused on delivering concrete outcomes. He underlined that democratic institutions should continuously evolve to remain connected with citizens, adopting innovation, dialogue, and technology to bridge gaps between governance and public expectations.
At the outset, the Lok Sabha Speaker welcomed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and praised the state’s progress under his leadership, citing advances in good governance, social welfare, law and order, infrastructure development, and investment promotion. He said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as an example of how democratic values can be strengthened through decisive governance and sustained development.
Om Birla stressed that all legislatures should work in alignment with the vision of “Viksit Bharat,” encouraging states to hold continuous and constructive discussions on development and infrastructure. Referring to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, he highlighted the extensive debates, including long discussions on Vision–2047, as an exemplary practice demonstrating the power of meaningful dialogue in shaping long-term development.
Expressing concern over the declining number of legislative sittings in recent years, Birla proposed that state legislatures should hold a minimum of 30 sitting days annually. He said assemblies are the primary platforms where the voice of the last citizen reaches the government, and voters expect their representatives to raise issues and seek solutions through positive debate, even amid political differences.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also emphasized the importance of technology and Artificial Intelligence in enhancing legislative capacity. He noted that all state assemblies have moved towards paperless functioning, with digitization of debates, budgets, and proceedings. This, he said, would promote research-based discussions and informed law-making, further supported by the creation of research wings within legislatures.
Raising concern over frequent disruptions, Birla said repeated adjournments weaken democracy, as every moment of the House is valuable. While political protest has its place, he asserted that debate and argument must remain the core of legislative functioning.
He also advocated the introduction of a ‘Legislative Index’ to assess productivity, efficiency, and performance of legislatures, fostering healthy competition and innovation. Concluding his address, Om Birla expressed confidence that the resolutions emerging from the 86th AIPOC would be implemented across states, strengthening India’s democratic foundations.
