At the 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference in Lucknow, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced a resolution to build consensus among political parties for state assemblies to hold at least 30 sittings annually. He expressed concerns over planned disruptions in legislative sessions, urging that such protests be kept outside the House to preserve time for dialogue. The conference also adopted resolutions on legislative improvements and digital integration.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the concluding day of the three-day 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) in Lucknow, where 36 presiding officers from 24 states and Union Territories gathered. A key resolution focused on creating consensus among political parties to ensure state legislative assemblies and councils conduct a minimum of 30 sittings per year. This measure aims to promote constructive use of time and resources for debating public issues and scrutinizing government actions.
Birla highlighted the issue of 'planned disruptions' in parliamentary and legislative proceedings, stating, 'The constant planned disruptions and obstructions in the House are a matter of concern. This is not appropriate either for the country or the democracy. The House’s time is precious — be it discussion, dialogue, agreement or disagreement. The House should only be for discussions and dialogue and not for disruptions.' He suggested that protests should occur outside the House to maintain its sanctity for dialogue.
The conference unanimously passed six resolutions, including the development of a National Legislative Index to benchmark legislative performance based on objective parameters, fostering transparency and accountability. Other resolutions emphasized harnessing digital technologies for legislative efficiency, providing leadership to governance institutions, building capacity in digital use and research support, and urging presiding officers to transcend partisan lines while upholding democratic traditions.
Birla noted plans to integrate all Vidhan Sabha proceedings onto a single platform by the end of 2026. With the upcoming Lok Sabha session starting January 28, he encouraged members to speak in their native languages to showcase India's unity in diversity.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the legislature as democracy's foundational pillar, enabling the voice of the marginalized to reach the government. He highlighted reforms in the UP Assembly, such as changes to Question Hour rules for broader member participation.
The parliamentary session will see the Union Budget presented on February 1 and conclude on February 13.
