Hold more sessions, sit longer hours, Mukherjee tells assemblies

President Pranab Mukherjee has said Parliament and state assemblies should hold more sessions and meet for longer periods, and also devote adequate time for discussing finance matters.

Addressing members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly here, Mukherjee said the legislative assembly is the master of executive in matters of taxation and finance. The time devoted to discussion on financial matters is not enough and assemblies could hold more frequent sessions, sit for longer periods.

"This is essential if democracy has to be strengthened. Any one in an elected office has begged for votes to come to his office. Disruption of proceedings and preventing others from speaking is a betrayal of the trust placed by voters on their representatives," he added.

Mukherjee also congratulated the members of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on the large turn out in the last assembly elections and also for transacting business with least disruption. He expressed his hope that other assemblies will emulate Meghalaya Assembly.

The President stated that democracy cannot succeed unless institutions are built up.

"Democracy has survived in India because our founding fathers put in place strong institutions," he said.

He further said legislative assemblies should respond to the issues of the day and should be accessible to civil society.

Also present on the occasion were Dr. K.K. Paul, Governor of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya and Abu Taher Mondal, Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.