LS Speaker inaugurates orientation program for Manipur State Assembly Members

New Delhi: Inaugurating an orientation programme for Members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, organised by PRIDE of Lok Sabha Secretariat at Parliament House, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla opined that the conduct of the people’s representatives in the House is not limited to the House but has an impact at several levels and there is also a direct message in the public.

He cautioned that the public feels that their people’s representatives are making the best use of the House and therefore discipline and dignity in the House should be an essential part of the behaviour of the people’s representatives.

On the occasion, Birla also released a Coffee Table book titled “PRIDE: Congruency, Cohesion & Continuity”, brought out by PRIDE of Lok Sabha Secretariat. B. L. Verma, Minister of State in the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and Minister of State in the Ministry of Co-operation was also present at the occasion.

He stressed that only when a law is framed with the consent of all stakeholders, democracy becomes healthier and stronger. In this regard, he advised that when a proposal is brought in the House, the people’s representatives should communicate it with their constituents at their respective levels and seek opinions from the people of the area on the draft or proposal of that bill.

Birla further suggested that our legislatures should update themselves to suit the changing world. In this regard, he said that information technology can be very effective in connecting the people with the legislature.

Stating that under the ‘One Nation-One Legislative Platform’, i.e. e-Vidhan, legislatures of the entire country are to be brought on a digital platform, he hoped that it will be a portal which will not only technologically develop our parliamentary system but also work to interconnect all the representative bodies of the country.

Birla further said that for North-East India, neither can we compromise on development nor with their wonderful culture. We have to take both development and culture together and move forward on the path of development through culture, he observed.

Referring to the rich heritage of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, he said that in the last 50 years, it has contributed to strengthening and enriching the legislative tradition of the country through its functioning. He said that many people oriented legislations have been passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly over the years to bring about a positive change in the standard of living of the common people.

Noting that the Manipur Legislative Assembly has a mix of young and experienced MLAs, he advised that first-time elected MLAs should take advantage of knowledge of the experienced and senior MLAs of the House. They should try to understand the nuances of rule-law making from them, he added.

He said that the MLAs should study these rules and procedures, study the Constitution, which will enable them to perform their work as an outstanding legislator.

Altogether 19 Members of Manipur Legislative Assembly are participating in the orientation programme.