Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has expressed his support for the use of technology in legislative bodies, stating that the vision of one nation, one legislative platform will become a reality by 2024. Birla made these remarks during a conference where five resolutions were adopted, including a recommendation for legislative bodies to embrace and promote emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity and citizen engagement.
During the conference, Birla discussed the importance of connecting democratic institutions with the public and making them more accountable and transparent. He emphasized that forced and planned adjournments in the house are a concern for all stakeholders and suggested that democratic institutions should make necessary changes to regain public trust and confidence.
Birla applauded the suggestion of establishing channels of communication among democratic institutions at different levels and encouraged state legislatures to organize similar initiatives. He also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s observations regarding the success of the Digital Parliament initiative implemented by the Lok Sabha. Birla stressed the need for legislatures to adopt technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
However, Birla acknowledged the challenges posed by new technologies in the functioning of legislatures, particularly concerning the telecast and broadcast of proceedings that have been expunged by the chair. He highlighted the importance of more debates and less disruption, urging presiding officers to develop action plans and strategies to ensure the time of legislatures is utilized for meaningful discussions and the welfare of the public.
Moreover, Birla emphasized the significance of parliamentary committees in the legislative process and suggested enhancing their functionality for effective governance and oversight of the executive. The conference concluded with resolutions calling for a review of rules of procedure and conduct of business to enable effective functioning, capacity-building of grassroots institutions, adoption of emerging technologies for transparency and productivity, enforcement of executive accountability, and the implementation of a unified legislative platform for resource sharing and public engagement.
Overall, Birla’s support for embracing technology in legislatures and his vision for a unified legislative platform by 2024 demonstrates a commitment to leveraging technology for improved governance and citizen engagement. The resolutions adopted during the conference aim to address various challenges and enhance the functioning of democratic institutions in the country.
