Staff Reporter

Panaji

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday expressed confidence that Goa would lead the country in achieving the vision of Vikasit Bharat (developed India) by 2047.

Addressing MLAs in the state legislative assembly hall on the theme ‘Vikasit Bharat 2047: Role of Public Representatives’ in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Speaker of the state legislative assembly Ramesh Tawadkar, the Lok Sabha Speaker said, “Today, Goa is on the path of development on the basis of many public-spirited laws made by the assembly. Therefore the state has emerged as a tourist hub all
over the world.”

He referred to the illustrious history of the Goa assembly and said the House has played a significant role in the socio-economic development of the state and the welfare of its people.

Lauding the state for the rapid development of infrastructure, Birla said that Goa can achieve sustainable development
goals by 2030.

India has achieved many milestones in the democratic journey of 75 years. The nation has made big achievements in the fields like education, health, infrastructure, etc which have had a direct impact on the lives of the people, the Lok Sabha Speaker said in his address, which was boycotted by all Opposition MLAs.

The Opposition accused the Sawant government of failing to fulfil the assurances made on the floor of the House.

The Lok Sabha Speaker hoped that the dream of making the country a developed India by 2047 would definitely be fulfilled.

It is the responsibility of legislative bodies – from panchayat to Parliament – to effectively convey issues of the public interest to the executive, Birla reckoned.

Asserting that there are enough avenues to express dissent in a parliamentary democracy, he said that if dissent is expressed in a dignified manner inside the House it adds to the prestige of the nation and democracy.

He opined that public representatives must give voice in the House to the hopes and aspirations of the people adequately so as to ensure that their problems are addressed effectively.

For proper participation of legislators in law-making, there should be a comprehensive debate and discussion on legal proposals brought in by the government. Wider discussion on legislations makes the laws effective, he observed.

Referring to the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a developed nation by 2047, Birla said the achievement of this great resolution is possible only when all citizens and institutions make dedicated and collective efforts.

Proper use of information and communication technology will reduce the distance between the public and the legislature, he noted, adding that besides public trust in democratic processes, people’s participation must also be strong.

The Lok Sabha Speaker raised concerns over the decreasing number of days of assembly sessions.

However, he hailed the Goa legislative assembly for holding longer sessions of more than 40 days.

The Chief Minister in his address first congratulated Birla on the inauguration of the new Parliament building and complimented him for handling Lok Sabha proceedings smoothly.

The Goa Speaker welcomed the guest, while Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza proposed a vote of thanks.