75 programmes on parliamentary democracy across nation, announces LS Speaker Om Birla
Bengaluru, Sep 25: Celebrating 100 years of the Speakers' Conference which coincides with the platinum jubilee of Indian independence, 75 different programmes on Parliamentary democracy would be organised in different parts of the country, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Saturday.
"The tradition of holding Speakers' Conference is completing 100 years this year. The first such conference was held in 1921 at Shimla and once again after 100 years, the conference is taking place in Shimla," Birla told reporters here.
He said the participants would discuss issues related to the parliamentary democracy, including the objectives achieved in the past 75 years.
"Along with it, we plan to hold the 75 different programmes in different parts of the country involving the smallest but the most important and responsible institution of the democracy, which is village Panchayat to Parliament, municipal corporations, legislative assemblies or Panchayats," Birla said.
The Speaker said this is the centenary of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as well. In this regard, an important international conference would take place on December 4 and 5 in New Delhi.
"The Speaker, PAC chairperson, its members, and the PAC chairpersons from other countries will take part in the conference," Birla said.
There would be programmes on increasing the participation of youth and women in Assemblies, Parliament and other democratic institutions, Birla said. Plans are afoot to hold an international meeting on participation of youth and women in the democratic process, he said.
Birla said the sole objective of the programmes is to strengthen the democratic institutions, make them accountable and prepare an actionplan to run the House. "We will make an advisory on the standard operating procedure (SOP) to run the House in the lowest level of institutions, which the States can follow," he said.
The Assembly Speakers would hold such programmes in their respective States as well.
Speaking about his visit to Karnataka, the LS Speaker said the State has a long history of democracy.
Referring to the Anubhava Mantapa set up by 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara in Basava Kalyan in Bidar district of the State, Birla said, "The foundation of the oldest democracy was laid in Karnataka. That's why we say that India is the mother of democracy."
He said he was not referring to the democracy after independence but the one which was always ingrained in the action, behaviour and thought of Indians.
The Speaker said the Panchayat Raj system was a symbol of democratic values, which every villager used to follow.
Stating that din and interruptions in Parliament, Assemblies and other Councils were a matter of concern, Birla said wide-level discussions took place between the speakers and leaders of various political parties for the dignified behaviour of the members in the House.
"We will once again discuss in Shimla how to maintain the discipline, dignity and decorum of Parliament and Legislatures," Birla said.
Replying to a query on sessions being held till late in the night, the Lok Sabha Speaker said the past five sessions saw an increase in the productivity of the proceedings.
"Despite the prevalence of COVID-19, our members sat in the House till late in the night and held the proceedings more than the scheduled time. During the fourth session, the members remained in the House till late in the night. The productivity was 167 per cent and there was members' participation. We want a similar kind of atmosphere whether be it in Parliament, Legislatures, Panchayat or the Municipal Councils," he said.
Birla said a database on the important discussions held in Parliament and the Legislatures would be prepared in Hindi and English in six months to add to the library in Parliament for the capacity- building of the members in the elected bodies.
"We are preparing a platform where our Legislatures can access the database by the name or subject," Birla said.
To a question on discussion on 'One Nation, One Election', he said many Legislatures tried to hold discussions and Karnataka was one among them.
Stating that there was a discussion in Parliament on this topic on a private Bill, he said there should be more discussions and dialogues on this issue for fruitful results.
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No stubble burning now, why air pollution crisis in Delhi: Mann takes dig at BJP
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday slammed the BJP saying its leaders used to "defame" Punjab farmers over stubble burning and blame them for Delhi's poor air quality and questioned why is there pollution crisis in national capital despite no farm fires now.
Mann said that as soon as paddy harvest takes place, BJP leaders blame Punjab and its farmers for Delhi's poor air quality.
He said they used to claim that stubble burning by Punjab farmers causes Delhi's pollution.
Mann said at present, the Air Quality Index in major Punjab cities is between 70 and 130.
"At present, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500 and no smoke is coming from Punjab. But the situation in Delhi is worse. At least now they should agree that there is no role of Punjab for Delhi's poor air quality," Mann said in a video message.
Mann's remarks came on a day Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised for the air pollution crisis in the national capital and acknowledged its impact on children's health.
Sirsa, however, asserted that it was the result of the policies pursued by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
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Last month, the BJP had trashed the Punjab CM's previous claim that stubble burning in the state has no role in the high levels of air pollution in Delhi as "ridiculous".
Dismissing Mann's claim, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva had last month said it is certain that stubble burning is a "major" factor (for the air pollution in Delhi).
Meanwhile, Mann in his video message said, due to severe floods which Punjab witnessed this year, paddy harvesting got delayed, "despite this, many Delhi ministers had already started blaming Punjab".
"I want to praise Punjab farmers, NGOs and efforts of the Punjab government have also paid off in controlling stubble burning this time. The cases of stubble burning in Punjab have reduced by 70-80 per cent and this has been acknowledged by the Central Government and the Union Agriculture Minister," Mann said.
The CM further said that after paddy harvest even the wheat crop has been sown and now, there is no incident of stubble burning.
He said BJP leaders used to claim that Punjab's smoke from stubble travels to Delhi.
"Now, there is no stubble burning, but Delhi is facing very poor air quality. This proves that earlier too Punjab's smoke had no role for Delhi's poor air quality. Only accusations were made by the BJP to defame Punjab. At least now the Centre should praise the farmers of Punjab," he said.
"Meanwhile, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500, flights are being cancelled, and breathing has become difficult," said Mann.
He asked both the BJP government in Delhi and the BJP led Centre to address Delhi's air pollution, saying citizens cannot even venture out for a walk due to air pollution.
He also asked the BJP that Punjab should not be dragged into this political battle, instead, Punjab's farmers should be appreciated, and the Delhi and Central governments should focus on addressing Delhi's air pollution.
Mann further said that farmers of Punjab are 'anndatas' (food providers) and they meet the country's food needs, they should not be defamed.
