Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there was need to have healthy and qualitative debate in Central and state legislative Houses, keeping in mind the rich Indian traditions and values.

The PM today virtually addressed the inaugural session of the 82nd All-India Presiding Officers’ Conference held here.

Speakers and Deputy Speakers from 36 Vidhan Sabhas and Vidhan Parishads from across the country are attending the three-day conference, which is being organised in Shimla after a span of 100 years in the historic Council Chamber, which now houses the Vidhan Sabha.

“There is an urgent need for ensuring quality debates in the legislative Houses so that there is something innovative, resulting in value addition, and not just mud-slinging,” he opined. “Kartavya (duty) is what each one of us should be guided by as we inch closer to 100 years of Independence. We need to have a road map for these crucial 25 years which will have a positive impact on people, besides accelerating the pace of development,” he said.

The mantra for the next 25 years, the PM said, should be a sense of duty—in our action, conduct and behaviour— both inside and outside the House.

Modi said the general public perception about leaders was that they only indulged in politicking, whereas the reality was that every political party had people dedicated to social service. “These leaders who do selfless service in helping the needy, should share their experiences with other members in the House on specified days so that others could get inspired to serve society,” he remarked. The PM also stressed the need for enhancing the productivity of the House by having discipline and commitment among members and giving opportunity to young MPs and women to raise issues.

Talking about “One Nation-One Legislative Platform”, the PM said that a digital platform must be developed which will not just give the required technological boost but link all Assemblies and Councils in the country. He also laid emphasis on making all Vidhan Sabhas and Parishads paperless.