Dharamshala: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday called for making legislatures more efficient by managing resources, defending democracy, and adopting innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Inaugurating the Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region, Zone-II here, Birla urged the state legislatures to share best practices, innovations, and technology to strengthen democratic institutions, increase the efficiency and transparency of legislative work, and better address the challenges and aspirations of their constituencies.
He said Parliament was extensively using technological innovations like AI to improve efficiency in parliamentary work.
He further said the Parliament secretariat was ready to share these latest technological advancements with state legislatures to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Birla said the use of AI and other digital tools can bridge the gap between the public and legislative bodies, making governance more responsive and transparent.
Stressing that effective use of resources, positive debates, and well-informed discussions not only strengthen democratic institutions but also enhance the image of legislators and legislatures, he said that sharing innovations and adopting a collaborative approach is key to advancing democratic governance.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘One Nation, One Legislative Platform’ initiative, the Lok Sabha speaker expressed confidence that a unified digital platform connecting all state legislatures would soon become a reality.
Such a platform would streamline legislative debates, budget discussions, and law-making processes and also foster healthy competition and innovation among states, he noted.
Reiterating the Parliament’s responsibility to share its technological advancements with state legislatures, he said it would help promote good governance and accountability at all levels of the federal structure.
He also called upon elected bodies, from Gram Panchayats to municipalities and state assemblies, to become centres of dialogue, innovation, and excellence and said that “constructive dialogue empowers institutions and is vital for achieving economic and social transformation”.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, state assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Leader of Opposition in state assembly Jai Ram Thakur, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural session.
