Speaker's conference resolves to continue assembly session for 60 days

The conference, held in Gandhinagar, was chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan

A resolution to call assembly houses for 60 days in a year was passed in the 78th Speakers' Conference at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The conference was chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Earlier in 2001, it was discussed to increase timing of assembly house but the resolution was not passed at that time.

On the third day of the Speaker’s Conference, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan announced the resolution, a copy of which would be distributed to the speakers and Chief Ministers of all states for study and implementation.

“To address and solve the various public issues, it is necessary to call house for more time. The resolution has been passed for the benefit of people," said Mahajan.

The main objects of the conference this year were 'changing public perception on legislatures', 'the role of legislators in strengthening public faith in democratic institutions' and 'measures to be taken to ensure attendance of members during sittings'.

Announcing the resolution, Mahajan appreciated that the Bihar and Karnataka Assemblies had been meeting over 60 days a year.

During the three days conference, without naming any states, Mahajan raised the issue of assemblies meeting for less number of days. Out of ideal 90 days, most of the assemblies met for less than 50 days while some even met for just 30 days.

At the closing ceremony of the conference, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli called for lawmakers and speakers to understand their responsibility and run the assembly peacefully. “It is speaker and public representatives’ responsibility to run house successfully," Kohli said.

Meanwhile, Mahajan raised concerns on Parliament logjams and said that the people were "losing faith in democratic institutions like Parliament owing to logjams".