Lucknow, January 19: Speaking at the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference, which began today in the UP Assembly, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that democratic practices and values โโin Houses are ingrained in our civilisational consciousness, but at times, the proceedings of the House are disrupted by sloganeering, displaying placards, tearing and throwing of papers, and other unruly behaviour, which is disappointing and should be avoided.
After lighting the lamp to inaugurate the conference, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that along with all the Chairmen and Presiding Officers of India’s legislative bodies, he congratulated the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council for voluntarily taking up the responsibility of hosting this conference of Presiding Officers.
Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that today, Uttar Pradesh has undergone a remarkable transformation on the economic front. Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state has transformed from a backward state to one of India’s fastest-growing states, driving our national economy. With a population of over 240 million, representing approximately 17 percent of our total population, the state has made unprecedented progress over the past decade. Per capita income in the state has doubled in less than a decade, rising from โน54,564 in 2016-17 to โน1,08,572 in 2024-25. Referring to the successful organization of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the Lok Sabha Speaker praised the state government for this and said that the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya has enhanced the state’s prestige.
Recalling the history of the Conference, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha stated that the Presiding Officers’ Conference was established in 1921. Over time, the Conference has become an active forum for discussing various aspects of parliamentary functioning, as well as issues such as ensuring discipline and decorum in the House; establishing cordial relations between the legislature and the judiciary; strengthening parliamentary oversight; and the functioning of departmentally related standing committees.
Om Birla stated that while democratic practices and values โโare deeply ingrained in our civilizational consciousness, the House proceedings are often disrupted by sloganeering, displaying placards, tearing and throwing of papers, and other unruly conduct, which is disappointing. Such behavior, exhibited by some members in many state legislatures and our Parliament, tarnishes the image of leaders and elected representatives and brings disrepute to our legislative institutions. He emphasized that leaders should behave with integrity.
Lok Sabha Speaker said that as presiding officers, one of our important responsibilities is to ensure that all members, especially new and young members, are given adequate opportunities to meaningfully participate in the proceedings of the House. We must encourage them to raise issues of public importance in the House, in accordance with established rules and conventions. Legislatures serve as the most natural and effective forum for raising public concerns.
Drawing the representatives’ attention to legislative work, he said that the number of actual sittings of legislatures is quite low. For example, the Lok Sabha session lasts only about 330 to 355 days during its entire five-year term. This means that it is less than 100 days a year. And state legislatures have even fewer sessions. At this critical juncture, when time is short and public expectations are rising rapidly, we cannot afford to waste a single moment.
Referring to the crucial role of presiding officers, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that as guardians of legislatures, we must strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions. Through the conduct of members of the legislature, we must ensure that public interest and public welfare remain at the center of all legislative activities. It is precisely in this context that this All India Conference of Presiding Officers holds greater significance. It provides a platform to collectively deliberate on emerging issues and challenges facing our legislative institutions.
Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana welcomed the event.
UP Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana said that the Lok Sabha Speaker accepted his request, and after 2015, the UP Assembly was honored to host this conference. Mahana said that it used to be said that if you don’t know anything, you should become a leader. Now that has changed; only those who know everything can become leaders. Doctors, engineers, lawyers, professors, farmers, and businessmen have also been elected to our Assembly.
The Assembly Speaker read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message for this event. He welcomed all the guests by presenting them with shawls and symbols.
At the conference, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel said that the conference would provide useful brainstorming on legislative matters. Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey and Legislative Council Chairman Kunwar Manvendra Singh shared their views.
The inaugural session of this conference, attended by presiding officers from across the country, will include the inauguration of an exhibition, a group photo, and meetings of various committees. Agenda points will be discussed in depth during the session on January 20th. Additionally, a program based on the rich cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh is also proposed. The closing session will be held on January 21.
On January 22, delegates will visit Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya Dham and tour Ram Nagari. Delegates will depart on January 23. This is the fourth time this conference is being held in Lucknow