On completing three years in office,Lok Sabha speaker About BirlaTOI’s . in an exclusive interview with Akhilesh Singhspoke about House productivity, disruption, new Parliament buildings, and more. excerpts from interview
You have completed three years in office. How was the experience so far?
This visit has been done to strengthen our democracy. The members were able to put their wishes before the government and the results are good. The last three years have witnessed record levels of productivity, attendance and participation during Bill discussions. We have broken many records. We have saved more than Rs.668.8 crore in the last three years by emphasizing on digital technology.
The number of interruptions decreased after you took office, but has increased recently. Why?
The productivity of Lok Sabha was 125% in the first session of my tenure. A record number of bills were passed. Sure, there was a bit of a mess in the first season but most of the sessions have been highly productive. Productivity was 61% even during Covid.
What needs to be done to ensure smooth functioning of the House?
We tell members that the House is a place to communicate. Even during the presiding officers’ conference, we resolved to hold long sessions, not to create any disturbance and to maintain high decorum. The speakers before me have also made concerted efforts and that is why the Parliament is in a good position today.
What do you think about the idea expressed by Supreme court That lawmakers often make laws without thinking about the consequences and the complexities in their enforcement?
SC has said that there should be proper implementation of laws. It is the job of the House to legislate after a constructive debate. Members have spent more than the prescribed time to present their views on various issues. So this dexterity is a step towards better legislation.
Do you think the Speaker should resign from his party after becoming the presiding officer?
Whether they resign or not is another issue but they should be neutral and beyond doubt. I do not think that there has ever been any obnoxious disrespect to the Chair.
You will be overseeing the construction of the new Parliament building. How do you see the functioning of the Lok Sabha once it moves to the new building?
Presently the process of building a new Parliament is going on. We are trying to have the winter session in the new building. We are expecting the new building to be occupied by October 30, after which a trial run will be conducted before holding the winter session.
But the new building doesn’t have a central hall?
The joint session will be held in the Lok Sabha building. In addition, the members will have enough space.
You have completed three years in office. How was the experience so far?
This visit has been done to strengthen our democracy. The members were able to put their wishes before the government and the results are good. The last three years have witnessed record levels of productivity, attendance and participation during Bill discussions. We have broken many records. We have saved more than Rs.668.8 crore in the last three years by emphasizing on digital technology.
The number of interruptions decreased after you took office, but has increased recently. Why?
The productivity of Lok Sabha was 125% in the first session of my tenure. A record number of bills were passed. Sure, there was a bit of a mess in the first season but most of the sessions have been highly productive. Productivity was 61% even during Covid.
What needs to be done to ensure smooth functioning of the House?
We tell members that the House is a place to communicate. Even during the presiding officers’ conference, we resolved to hold long sessions, not to create any disturbance and to maintain high decorum. The speakers before me have also made concerted efforts and that is why the Parliament is in a good position today.
What do you think about the idea expressed by Supreme court That lawmakers often make laws without thinking about the consequences and the complexities in their enforcement?
SC has said that there should be proper implementation of laws. It is the job of the House to legislate after a constructive debate. Members have spent more than the prescribed time to present their views on various issues. So this dexterity is a step towards better legislation.
Do you think the Speaker should resign from his party after becoming the presiding officer?
Whether they resign or not is another issue but they should be neutral and beyond doubt. I do not think that there has ever been any obnoxious disrespect to the Chair.
You will be overseeing the construction of the new Parliament building. How do you see the functioning of the Lok Sabha once it moves to the new building?
Presently the process of building a new Parliament is going on. We are trying to have the winter session in the new building. We are expecting the new building to be occupied by October 30, after which a trial run will be conducted before holding the winter session.
But the new building doesn’t have a central hall?
The joint session will be held in the Lok Sabha building. In addition, the members will have enough space.