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India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
18th Lok Sabha seen enhanced productivity and meaningful debate due to reduction in disruption: OM Birla
New Delhi [India], June 4 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday said that frequent disruptions--once a recurring feature--have now significantly reduced in Parliament of India, resulting in enhanced productivity and meaningful debate, said Lok Sabha Secretariat in a statement. Inaugurating the first-ever National Conference of Chairpersons of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of States and Union Territories in Manesar, Gurugram, he mentioned that the Lok Sabha has increasingly witnessed late-night sessions and long-duration debates, reflecting a mature and responsible democratic culture. He called upon urban local bodies to incorporate structured procedures, including regular sittings, robust committee systems, and citizen engagement, to further strengthen grassroots democracy. Held at the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), IMT Manesar, Gurugram, the two-day national conference, on July 3-4, 2025, marks a historic initiative to discuss the role of urban local bodies in strengthening constitutional democracy and nation-building through participatory governance structures in cities across India. In his address, Birla emphasised the importance of incorporating proven democratic practices, such as Question Hour and Zero Hour, in ULBs. He noted that such provisions in Parliament have played a vital role in holding the executive accountable and systematically raising public concerns. He pointed out that short, irregular, or ad-hoc municipal meetings weaken local governance, and advocated for regular, structured sessions, standing committees, and open civic consultations. As in Parliament, ULBs too must shun disruptive behaviour and focus on constructive and inclusive discussions. He cited the example of the Lok Sabha, where reduction in protests and placard-waving has led to significantly higher productivity, improving public perception and enabling better lawmaking. Birla emphasised that disruptions do not reflect the strength of democracy but rather weaken it. He asserted that it is through dialogue, patience, and depth of discussion that democracy truly thrives, and he urged municipal representatives to lead by example in their respective cities and towns. Birla described Urban Local Bodies as the closest tier of governance to the people, deeply aware of the challenges and needs of citizens. He noted that India's urban transformation, symbolised by cities like Gurugram, reflects both economic vitality and democratic participation. From being associated with India's civilizational legacy to becoming a hub of innovation and enterprise, Gurugram, he said, illustrates what coordinated efforts of governments and empowered local institutions can achieve. Birla stressed that with over 600 million people expected to live in urban areas by 2030, the scale and scope of urban governance must evolve accordingly. He stated that ULBs must not remain confined to traditional roles of service delivery but should rise as true institutions of self-governance and catalysts of nation-building. He reiterated that the theme of the conference - 'Role of Urban Local Bodies in Strengthening Constitutional Democracy and Nation Building' - was timely and forward-looking. He urged delegates to approach the conference as more than a policy dialogue--as an exercise in democratic deepening and institutional learning. With five key sub-themes--including transparent functioning of municipal councils, inclusive urban development, innovation in governance, women's leadership, and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047--the conference provides a platform to share experiences, assess challenges, and build consensus on reforms. Birla highlighted the critical, day-to-day impact that ULBs have on the lives of citizens through their work in essential civic areas such as infrastructure development, sewage and sanitation systems, waste management, road construction, and pollution control. He noted that these are not peripheral duties, but core responsibilities that directly influence the health, safety, and quality of life of urban residents. The effectiveness of ULBs in fulfilling these functions not only builds public trust but also sets the foundation for long-term, sustainable urban growth. The footprints of local bodies, he said, are imprinted in the memory of the people through their visible and tangible service delivery. Regarding increased participation of women in governance, Birla expressed pride that in many ULBs across the country, women's representation has reached nearly 50%. He lauded this as a transformational shift, stating that women leaders bring unique sensitivity and insight to governance and public welfare. He called for more investment in training, leadership development, and policy exposure for women municipal leaders so they can take on key roles in administration and public life. Birla reminded delegates that India is the mother of democracy, where local self-governance--from Gram Sabhas to urban municipalities--has always been an intrinsic part of its cultural fabric. He said that empowering ULBs will automatically empower State Assemblies, the Lok Sabha, and other democratic institutions. When local institutions are vibrant, representative, and competent, national governance becomes more responsive and representative. He exhorted all participants to ensure effective interaction with citizens, long-term policy planning, and continuous improvement of municipal functioning. He encouraged ULBs to forecast urban demands, invest in capacity-building, and institutionalise knowledge sharing so that India's cities remain resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive. The conference, he said, is also a forum for discovering shared solutions and building a cadre of democratic leaders who are grounded in people's aspirations and equipped to shape the laws and institutions of the future. On July 4, 2025, the second day of the conference, delegates will present group reports and actionable recommendations. The valedictory session will be addressed by Hon'ble Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatraya, in the presence of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh and other dignitaries. Om Birla concluded by urging ULBs to strive for excellence, integrity, and innovation. He said that with local leaders at the forefront, India's urban landscape will evolve into a network of empowered, inclusive, and future-ready cities. Through such collective efforts, India is well on its way to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. (ANI)
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra: Opposition slams absence of national emblem on entry passes to legislative building
The Opposition slammed the absence of the national emblem on entry passes to the legislative building on Monday, the first day of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad tried to raise the issue in the House before the Speaker presented a condolence motion but was asked to raise it later. 'I wanted to raise it today itself. However, today's business was limited to passing condolence motion. I wanted to highlight how the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is undermining the Constitution and national emblem. How can they remove the emblem from the entry pass?' asked Awhad. The opposition said that it will raise the issue aggressively on Tuesday. However, according to sources within the state legislative building, it was an attempt to 'safeguard' the national emblem. 'The entry pass, after its use, either gets thrown into the garbage or torn into pieces. It leads to the insult of the national emblem. Therefore, it was not printed on the entry pass,' said the official. In a similar incident, during the two-day National Conference of Chairpersons of Estimates Committees of Parliament and State / UT Legislatures held in Mumbai. the national emblem was missing, and the Sengol was used instead.
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Parliamentary committees should not oppose government but act as supportive and corrective instruments: Lok Sabha Speaker Birla
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): The two-day National Conference of Chairpersons of Estimates Committees of Parliament and State / UT Legislatures, which was inaugurated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha Om Birla, on Monday at Maharashtra Vidhan Bhawan, Mumbai, concluded on Tuesday. Addressing the Valedictory Session, the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Om Birla underscored the importance of fostering institutional synergy, enhancing financial accountability, and embracing technology-driven governance to strengthen democratic processes. He highlighted that seamless coordination among various arms of governance is crucial for efficient policy implementation and citizen-centric administration. Emphasising transparency and fiscal responsibility, the Speaker called for robust mechanisms to ensure prudent use of public funds. Furthermore, he advocated for the integration of advanced digital technologies to improve administrative efficiency, promote real-time public service delivery, and uphold the values of good governance in the digital age. Emphasising on accountability and innovation in governance, he emphasised that Parliamentary Committees, whether at the Centre or in States, are not opposed to the government but rather act as supportive and corrective instruments, offering constructive guidance. By offering well-researched recommendations and acting as a bridge between the executive and the legislature, these committees contribute to transparent, accountable, and effective governance, he added. The Speaker urged members to uphold the spirit of collaboration and responsibility, reinforcing the committees' role as pillars of parliamentary democracy. He also called for coordination between Estimate Committees of Parliament and the states/UTs legislatures. Advocating for a robust Committee oversight and technology integration in public spending, Birla noted that by leveraging modern technological tools such as AI and data analytics, oversight mechanisms can become more precise and impactful. He called for empowering Committees with necessary resources and digital capabilities to monitor expenditures closely, thereby reinforcing fiscal discipline and promoting good governance. Birla stressed that public representatives, given their direct connection with the people, have a deep understanding of ground-level issues and can significantly enhance budget scrutiny through meaningful engagement. Mentioning that Estimates Committees must ensure that every rupee spent is for people's welfare, Lok Sabha Speaker emphasised that fiscal resources of the country must be utilised efficiently and responsibly. He reiterated that the role of Estimates Committees is not just to monitor expenditure but to ensure that welfare schemes are relevant, accessible, and effective for the common citizen, with a special emphasis on social justice and welfare. Birla stated that technology-driven governance, such as Direct Benefit Transfers, has reduced pilferage and ensured that benefits reach the intended recipients--a goal that Estimates Committees must continue to support. Reflecting on the purpose and impact of the Conference, Birla said that the platform reaffirmed the collective commitment of legislative institutions to fiscal discipline, transparency, and public accountability. Birla also called for wider public engagement with the Committee process and encouraged dissemination of Committee findings to build greater trust in democratic institutions. He suggested that similar conferences be held for other Committees such as the Privileges Committee, Petitions Committee, and the Committee on Empowerment of Women, to encourage inter-legislative dialogue and promote adoption of best practices. Birla expressed confidence that the consensus and ideas forged at this conference would translate into more efficient, accountable, and people-centric governance. The Conference unanimously adopted six key resolutions that lay out a forward-looking roadmap for strengthening Estimates Committees, Lok Sabha Secretariat said in a release. Chairpersons and Members of Estimates Committees from 23 States and Union Territories participated in the Conference. The conference, which marks 75 years of the Estimates Committee's journey, brought together key stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen institutional mechanisms of financial oversight and improve administrative efficiency in the world's largest democracy. The theme of the Conference was, 'Role of Estimates Committee in effective Monitoring and Review of Budget Estimates for ensuring Efficiency and economy in Administration'. (ANI)
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Use public funds prudently, says Lok Sabha speaker
Mumbai: Addressing the valedictory session of the National Conference of Chairpersons of Estimates Committees of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures at the Vidhan Bhavan, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla underscored the importance of fostering institutional synergy, enhancing financial accountability, and embracing technology-driven governance to strengthen democratic processes. Birla highlighted that seamless coordination among various arms of govt is crucial for efficient policy implementation and citizen-centric administration. Emphasising transparency and fiscal responsibility, Birla called for robust mechanisms to ensure prudent use of public funds. He advocated for the integration of advanced digital technologies to improve administrative efficiency, promote real-time public service delivery, and uphold the values of good governance in the digital age. Stating that the Estimates Committees of Parliament and State Legislatures are the backbone of transparency and accountability in governance, governor C P Radhakrishnan hailed the committees for strengthening democracy in the country in his valedictory address. Noting that over 55% of revenue receipts of states are spent on committed expenditures such as salaries, pensions, and interest payments, Radhakrishnan expressed the hope that the estimates committees will look beyond traditional methods in promoting fiscal prudence and effective governance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 쑤시는 무릎, 나이 탓하며 그냥 넘기시나요? 큰딸민지 더 알아보기 Undo In this connection, Radhakrishnan said the committees should adopt advanced tools such as data analytics, dashboards, and AI-powered audit platforms to ensure real-time monitoring of budget performance and public service delivery. Radhakrishnan highlighted Maharashtra's contribution to India's democratic fabric. He was all praise for the positive and constructive relationship between the treasury benches and the opposition in Maharashtra and said such healthy democratic practices are worthy of emulation by other states. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The conference, which marks 75 years of the estimates committee's journey, brought together key stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen institutional mechanisms of financial oversight and improve administrative efficiency in the world's largest democracy. The theme of the conference was 'Role of Estimates Committee in Effective Monitoring and Review of Budget Estimates for Ensuring Efficiency and Economy in Administration'. Mentioning that estimates committees must ensure that every rupee spent is for people's welfare, Birla emphasised that fiscal resources of the country must be utilised efficiently and responsibly. He reiterated that the role of estimates committees is not just to monitor expenditure but to ensure that welfare schemes are relevant, accessible, and effective for the common citizen, with a special emphasis on social justice and welfare. Birla stated that technology-driven governance, such as direct benefit transfers, has reduced pilferage and ensured that benefits reach the intended recipients — a goal that estimates committees must continue to support.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Clash erupts during ABVP-Yuva Morcha protest against Minister Sivankutty
A protest taken out by activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Yuva Morcha against General Education Minister V. Sivankutty over the 'Bharat Mata' issue led to a clash between the police and the activists at Tali in Kozhikode on Saturday (June 21). The involvement of activists from the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) escalated the situation. The police brought the situation under control by arresting the ABVP and Yuva Morcha activists. Minister V. Sivankutty was in Tali to inaugurate a seminar in connection with the National Conference of the SFI at the MAM Jubilee Hall at Kandamkulam, as well as a departmental event at the Zamorin's Higher Secondary School nearby. ABVP and Yuva Morcha activists attempted to block his convoy near the Tali Mahadeva Temple by raising black flags. The police intervened to control the protest and clear the way for the minister. Meanwhile, SFI and DYFI activists allegedly attacked the ABVP and Yuva Morcha members even while they were in police custody. Meanwhile, P. Reghunath, president of the BJP (North Zone), Kozhikode, alleged that the police attacked the ABVP and Yuva Morcha activists without provocation as they were leaving the BJP District Committee office, located just a few metres from the Jubilee Hall. He claimed the activists were heading towards Kidson Corner, where the party had already planned a protest on the 'Bharat Mata' issue. He further alleged that the police had created an opportunity for the SFI-DYFI activists to attack the ABVP-Yuva Morcha activists. He demanded that the police take action against the SFI activists who were reportedly involved in the attack. Later, activists of the Fraternity Movement took out a protest against the Minister, demanding more Plus Two seats, which led to a minor scuffle between them and SFI activists. Earlier, speaking to the media at the Government Guest House, Mr. Sivankutty alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had instigated ABVP and Yuva Morcha activists to obstruct him at every turn. He also claimed that activists had destroyed the National Flag displayed on his car during a protest in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Sivankutty's remarks about the use of a portrait of 'Bharat Mata' at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram during an official programme had earlier triggered the controversy.
