NewKerala.com

Lok Sabha Speaker Calls for Dialogue to End Parliamentary Stalemates

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that solutions to parliamentary stalemates should be found through dialogue between the treasury and opposition benches. He highlighted India's hosting of the largest-ever Commonwealth Speakers' Conference, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Birla also addressed an ongoing investigation into a complaint about an MP allegedly using an e-cigarette in the House, vowing action to uphold dignity. The conference itself is being conducted as a paperless event utilizing a specially developed app and web system.

Key Points: Speaker Om Birla: Dialogue Key to Resolving House Stalemates

  • Dialogue urged for House stalemates
  • Largest Commonwealth Speakers' Conference hosted
  • Probe into MP's e-cigarette complaint ongoing
  • Paperless conference with dedicated app
3 min read

Solution to stalemate in House should be found through dialogue: Lok Sabha Speaker

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasizes dialogue to resolve parliamentary deadlocks and details the upcoming Commonwealth Speakers' Conference in India.

"It will not be possible for anyone to spoil the dignity of the House. - Speaker Om Birla"

New Delhi, January 13

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said that the a solution should be found through dialogue to any stalemate in the House between the treasury benches and the opposition parties and that the Parliament should send a message not only to the people of the country but also abroad through healthy, meaningful discussions.

Answering queries during a press conference here on the upcoming Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth, he also said that steps have been taken to cut down on wasteful expenditure and capabilities and capacity of the staff are being enhanced.

The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, being hosted by Parliament of India will be the largest CSPOC in terms of participation.

The conference will be held from January 14 to 16 will discuss shared parliamentary values, democratic governance and institutional cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference on January 15 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex.

Speaker Om Birla is the Chairperson of this Conference.

"The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth being hosted by India will have the largest participation," Birla said.

He said that work related to the conference has been done online and paper has not been used.

He said an app has been developed to enable all aspects of conference coordination, facilitation and information dissemination. A web-based event management system has been developed.

Answering queries, he said there will be no participation from Pakistan and Bangladesh does not have a Speaker at present with general elections scheduled to take place next month.

The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) was created in 1969 as an initiative of then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux.

Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities.

Answering another query, the Speaker said that the process of investigation into the complaint against a Trinamool Congress MP of having resorted to using e-cigarette in the House is being completed and asserted that it is responsibility of all members to increase the dignity of the House.

"The process of investigation is in the direction of being completed. As soon as the investigation process is completed, the action plan will be made and will go to the committee, and the process will be completed. It will not be possible for anyone to spoil the dignity of the House. It is a responsibility... You will have to maintain decorum inside the House and the one who does not maintain decorum will be punished under the rules and procedures of the Parliament. Action will be taken. Action will be taken as per the rules," he said.

The Speaker was answering a query on the probe into the E-cigarette complaint against a TMC MP, made during the winter session of Parliament by BJP MP Anurag Thakur.

Anurag Thakur complained that a TMC MP had been smoking E-cigarette in the House in violation of rules.

He had said E-cigarettes have been banned in the country and asked if they have been allowed in the House. The Speaker had responded firmly, saying that no rule allows any MP to smoke inside the house. "If such an incident is brought to my notice with clarity, appropriate action will follow," Birla said.

He promised to look into the incident after Anurag Thakur submitted a written complaint about the alleged smoking incident to the Speaker.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see India hosting such a large international conference. But the real test is implementing these "shared democratic values" at home. The opposition needs a voice, not just a seat.
A
Arjun K
E-cigarette in Parliament? Seriously? This is what our MPs are doing? Shameful. Strict action must be taken, no matter which party. We expect better decorum from our representatives.
S
Sarah B
Appreciate the focus on cutting wasteful expenditure and going paperless for the conference. These are small but significant steps towards a more efficient and environmentally conscious government. More of this, please!
V
Vikram M
Dialogue is a nice idea, but who will bell the cat? The ruling party has the numbers, the opposition often resorts to theatrics. The Speaker's role is crucial, and he must ensure fairness, not just procedure.
K
Karthik V
Hosting CSPOC is a matter of pride for Indian democracy. But the absence of Pakistan and Bangladesh is notable. Hope the discussions on democratic governance lead to tangible outcomes for our own Parliament's productivity.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50