The primary responsibility of the legislature is to fulfil the aspirations of the people, and lawmakers should ensure that laws are enacted only after thorough debate and discussion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Monday.
Mr. Birla made these remarks while inaugurating the 8th India region conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at Assam Legislative Assembly.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, acting chairperson of the CPA Ian Liddell-Grainger and speakers of various Legislative Assemblies attended the event.
"Laws should be made after thorough debate and discussions incorporating the needs of the aspirational sections of society," Mr. Birla said.
He said India was an effective, accountable and a living example of a functioning democracy and the world looked towards the largest democracy to set an example and provide direction.
He said through 17 Lok Sabha and over 300 Assembly polls, India continued to attract the largest number of voters in any democracy.
Recalling the contribution of B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, the Lok Sabha Speaker said the country's policies and programmes should be in the direction of achieving the goals set by the founding fathers of the Constitution.
Calling for active participation of the youth and women in democratic processes, Mr. Birla said that democratic institutions, from Panchayat to Parliament, should keep the youth and women at the centre of policymaking.
"This will ensure ideas and visions of the youth are used to make administration transparent and accountable.
The Lok Sabha Speaker noted that the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on education, heath, infrastructure, among other areas, were steps in that direction.
Echoing similar sentiments, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said democracy and democratic values were “integral parts of Indian way of life”.
"Democratic institutions are flourishing in India since ancient times and our reforms exemplified the true democratic values and traditions which continued in our society ever since," Mr. Sarma said.
Acting chairperson of CPA Ian Liddell-Grainger, who is a Member of Parliament from United Kingdom, listed several path-breaking initiatives of the association and expressed that the deliberations at the conference would help the Commonwealth respond to current challenges in a more effective manner.
