Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called upon the political parties and the elected representatives to transform Parliament into a platform for meaningful debates, discussions and dialogues that can raise matters of national importance and public issues. Speaking at the inauguration of the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Region Conference in Bengaluru, the Speaker asked the legislators to rise above their political affiliations and participate in the deliberations as people’s representatives. He expressed dismay over the falling standards of the proceedings in the House.

Registering his concern over deliberate and systematic attempts to disrupt the proceedings, he said the dignity of the elected member will be judged by the standard of his debate and discussions in the House. He informed that efforts are being made to make the legislature more transparent and accountable. Mr Birla further said that the Digital Sansad online platform is developed for the Parliament and state Assemblies to upload their deliberations held in the House.

The Deputy Speaker in the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, also raised the issue of disruption and disorder in the House. He also appealed to the legislators to get involved in the policy-making exercise and address the challenges faced by the people that they represent. He said that they need to build the trust of people in the legislative process by meaningful and productive dialogue in the House. Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader and Chairman Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, among other dignitaries, were present on this occasion.