Parliament an open institution, empowers citizens to hold MPs responsible: LS Speaker

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said Parliament is an open institution which enables citizens to become aware of the work of their elected representatives and empowers them to hold the parliamentarians to be responsive and responsible.

Speaking at the 141st assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Belgrade (Serbia), Birla said parliamentarians are an important medium of communication between the people and the government.

Birla is leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to the IPU conference.

Observing that 'parliamentary diplomacy' has come into greater focus in recent times in strengthening international law, Birla said that it provides an opportunity for parliaments in taking forward the agenda of development to the people and seek public consent in the process and plays a vital role in strengthening mutual ties.

"Parliament is an open institution and this openness enables citizens to become aware of the work of their elected representatives, allows them to be engaged in the legislative processes and empowers them to hold the parliamentarians to be responsive and responsible," he said.

Birla also said the Parliament has a critical role to play in passing the necessary legislations to give effect to international commitments, approve budgets for them and to honour the governments' resolve on the international arena.

The Speaker further said the Constitution of India endorses the international treaty obligations as binding and Article 51 stipulates that the State shall endeavour to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

Addressing the delegates, Birla said a well-defined international order is imperative for a just, peaceful and prosperous world and the States, as signatories to the instruments of international law, have to ensure implementation in their respective territories.