Lok Sabha Speaker: Make government accountable and responsible

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Addressing the Assam Legislative Assembly today, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "As public representatives, you have to ensure through the legislatures, that the government in power is accountable, transparent and responsible and fulfils the needs and requirements of the people."

This is the first in the history of the Assam Legislative Assembly to have addressed it by a Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Speaker Birla said, "If the people lose faith and trust in democratic institutions, it puts a question mark on our democratic procedures. Hence, it is our responsibility to ensure that the faith and the trust of the people in the democratic institutions remain unbroken. For this is imperative to hold extensive discussions and debates in the House to ensure that the decisions taken therein are in the best interest of the people.

"Government comes and goes. Hence it is the collective responsibility of all the parties to consider how we can make the democratic institutions more strong and resilient.

"It is a matter of great concern that legislative bodies are witnessing a continual decline in debate and discussions. Laws are also be enacted without comprehensive discussions. Democracy is based on debate and dialogues, but continuous disruptions of debates in the House and lack of decorum is a matter of serious concern. This is hurting the dignity and prestige of our democratic institutions.

"To obstruct the proceedings of the House is not right, ethically or constitutionally. Many a time, disruptions are not organic but preplanned. It is natural that treasury and opposition benches to disagree or to have a difference of opinion. But dissent should not lead to an impasse."

The Lok Sabha Speaker recalled Bharat Ratnas Gopinath Bordoloi and Dr Bhupen Hazarika for their respective contributions to the nation. He also recalled former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for his contribution to the development of the Northeast.

Speaker Birla said, "It's a matter of pride for me to visit the state for the first time. Assam is called the Gateway to Northeast India. The very meaning of Assam is 'that which is incomparable'. The Brahmaputra, the temple of Kamakhya is the symbol of people's faith. The cultural diversity of the state makes it unique."

Assam Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary welcomed the Lok Sabha Speaker, and said, "The activities of Om Birlaji let the Lok Sabha scale newer heights. He gives equal opportunities to everyone, including the MPs from Assam, to express their views. I will try to lead the State Assembly according to his guidelines."

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The Lok Sabha Speaker addressing the state Assembly is a historic landmark. I welcome him on behalf of the people of Assam. Birlaji uplifted the parliamentary democratic traditions. Even the Prime Minister lauded him for his role in the Lok Sabha. The Assam Assembly is the second Assembly in the country, next to the UP Assembly. The first GoM's (Group of Ministers) meeting was held in Shillong on April 7, 1937."

Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AGP president Atul Bora, AIUDF's Hafis Rashid Choudhury, UPPL leader Gobinda Basumatary and BPF leader Durga Das Boro also welcomed the Lok Sabha Speaker.

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