Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said that frequent disruptions in Parliament have reduced significantly, resulting in increased work productivity and meaningful discussions. Inaugurating the first National Conference of Chairpersons of Urban Local Bodies of States and Union Territories in Manesar in Haryaran, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that sessions lower House go on till late night and debates take place for a long time which shows that the democratic culture is maturing and becoming responsible.
Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Birla also urged all political par- ties to reduce disruptions in House proceedings and asserted it is time to change past practices. Parliament’s Monsoon Session is scheduled to be- gin on July 21 and continue till August 21, a week longer than the original plan to conclude on August 12.
He called upon the urban local bodies to hold regular meetings, develop strong committee systems and adopt well-organised processes along with increasing people’s participation to further strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
Emphasising the importance of incorporating well- established democratic practices such as Question Hour and Zero Hour in ULBs, Birla told the delegates that such provisions in Parliament have played a vital role in holding the executive accountable and in systematically articulating public concerns.
Noting that short, irregular or ad-hoc municipal meetings undermine local governance, the Speaker advocated regular, structured sessions, formation of standing committees and extensive public consultation. Like Parliament, ULBs too must avoid disruptions and have constructive and inclusive discussions. Shri Birla said that urban transformation in cities like Gurugram reflects both economic vibrancy and democratic participation.
Gurugram’s journey from being rooted in India’s civilisational heritage to becoming a hub of innovation and enterprise demonstrates what can be achieved through coordinated efforts of governments and empowered local institutions.
Birla emphasised that with over 600 million people projected to live in urban areas by 2030, the scale and scope of urban governance must evolve accordingly. He said urban local bodies must not be confined to the traditional roles of service delivery but contribute to nation building by emerging as true institutions of self-governance. He urged the delegates to look at the conference as a platform for strengthening democracy and institutional development, moving beyond policy dialogue.