Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today called for sweeping reforms to enhance the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of legislatures across India, highlighting the role of technological innovation, resource management, and democratic conduct in strengthening institutional credibility. Addressing the Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone–II in Dharamshala, he emphasised that the Parliament of India is already deploying technologies like Artificial Intelligence to improve legislative efficiency, and is committed to sharing these advancements with State legislatures to foster good governance.
He reiterated Parliament’s dedication to the ‘One Nation One Legislative Platform’ initiative, asserting that by 2026, India’s legislatures will be unified on a common digital platform to enable seamless sharing of legislative discourse, budgetary insights, and law-making best practices. He said this integration would promote healthy competition and collaboration among states, ultimately benefitting citizens across the country.
Birla urged representatives—from Gram Panchayats to Nagar Palikas to State Assemblies—to transform their institutions into hubs of innovation and excellence through dialogue, technological adoption and ethical conduct. Citing India’s status as the world’s largest democracy, he noted that it bears the responsibility of setting a global example in institutional transparency and inclusivity.
Quoting Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Speaker said that the effectiveness of constitutional systems is ultimately determined by the conduct of their stewards. He underscored the vital role of well-reasoned debate, mutual respect, and dignified behaviour in elevating both legislative discourse and public trust.
He pressed for a modernised legislative focus that remains rooted in public interest, urging lawmakers to prioritise issues like infrastructure, climate resilience and sustainable development, while embracing emerging tools and strategies to drive impact.
Birla acknowledged Himachal Pradesh’s proud democratic legacy and noted that the first Presiding Officers’ Conference in 1921 took place in Shimla. He praised the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly for becoming the first fully paperless Vidhan Sabha in the country, and recognised the patriotism and democratic engagement of the state’s citizens.
Among the distinguished participants at the conference were Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Himachal Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, and presiding officers from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. The session brought together legislative leaders and representatives committed to building more responsive and future-ready governance systems through innovation and cooperation.
