After completing three years in office,Lok Sabha Loudspeaker Om Birlain an exclusive interview with TOI’s Akhilesh Singhtalk about House productivity, interruption, new Parliament buildings and more. Excerpt from the interview
You have completed three years in the position. How’s the experience so far?
This journey has served to strengthen our democracy. Members were able to voice their wishes to the government and the results were good. The past three years have seen record levels of productivity, engagement, and participation in bill discussions. We broke many records. With a focus on digital technology, we have saved over Rs 668.8 crore over the past three years.
The number of interruptions went down when you took over, but has increased recently. Why?
During the first session of my tenure, Lok Sabha’s yield was 125%. A record number of bills have been passed. Sure, there was a little shuffling in the first session but the max sessions worked out. In Covid too, the yield was 61%.
What needs to be done to make sure the Home runs smoothly?
We tell the members that the House is a place for dialogue. Even during our time presiding over the officers’ conference, we decided to have long, undisturbed sessions and maintain a high degree of solemnity. Speakers before me also made concerted efforts and that is why Parliament is in good shape today.
What do you think of the views expressed by Supreme Court that legislators often make laws without thinking through the consequences and complexities of their implementation?
SC has said that the law must have precise enforcement. The job of the House of Commons is to introduce legislation after constructive debate. On various issues, members spent more than the allotted time to present their opinions. So this mastery is a step towards making better laws.
Do you think the Speaker should resign from his party after becoming the Presiding Officer?
Whether they resign or not is another matter but they must be neutral and without a doubt. I don’t think there has ever been any disrespect to the Speaker’s chair.
You have to watch the construction of the new building of Parliament. How do you see Lok Sabha in action after it was moved to the new building?
The process of building a new parliament is currently underway. We are trying to hold the winter school in the new building. We expect to have the new building in possession by October 30, after which test runs will be conducted prior to the winter session.
But there is no central hall in the new building?
The joint session will be held at the Lok Sabha house. Furthermore, members will have adequate space.
You have completed three years in the position. How’s the experience so far?
This journey has served to strengthen our democracy. Members were able to voice their wishes to the government and the results were good. The past three years have seen record levels of productivity, engagement, and participation in bill discussions. We broke many records. With a focus on digital technology, we have saved over Rs 668.8 crore over the past three years.
The number of interruptions went down when you took over, but has increased recently. Why?
During the first session of my tenure, Lok Sabha’s yield was 125%. A record number of bills have been passed. Sure, there was a little shuffling in the first session but the max sessions worked out. In Covid too, the yield was 61%.
What needs to be done to make sure the Home runs smoothly?
We tell the members that the House is a place for dialogue. Even during our time presiding over the officers’ conference, we decided to have long, undisturbed sessions and maintain a high degree of solemnity. Speakers before me also made concerted efforts and that is why Parliament is in good shape today.
What do you think of the views expressed by Supreme Court that legislators often make laws without thinking through the consequences and complexities of their implementation?
SC has said that the law must have precise enforcement. The job of the House of Commons is to introduce legislation after constructive debate. On various issues, members spent more than the allotted time to present their opinions. So this mastery is a step towards making better laws.
Do you think the Speaker should resign from his party after becoming the Presiding Officer?
Whether they resign or not is another matter but they must be neutral and without a doubt. I don’t think there has ever been any disrespect to the Speaker’s chair.
You have to watch the construction of the new building of Parliament. How do you see Lok Sabha in action after it was moved to the new building?
The process of building a new parliament is currently underway. We are trying to hold the winter school in the new building. We expect to have the new building in possession by October 30, after which test runs will be conducted prior to the winter session.
But there is no central hall in the new building?
The joint session will be held at the Lok Sabha house. Furthermore, members will have adequate space.
