Ahead of the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla appealed to leaders and Members of all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of the House, cautioning against planned disruptions and emphasizing that democracy thrives on discussion and dialogue, not disorder. His remarks came at the conclusion of the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) held in Lucknow from January 19–21, 2026.
86th AIPOC Concludes with Focus on Stronger Legislatures
The three-day conference, hosted at the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Bhavan in Lucknow, concluded with the valedictory address by Shri Om Birla. The closing session was attended by senior dignitaries including the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and the Chairpersons and Speakers of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly.
The conference witnessed participation from 36 Presiding Officers representing 24 States and Union Territories, making it the largest AIPOC to date in terms of representation.
National Legislative Index to Strengthen Accountability and Performance
In a key announcement, the Lok Sabha Speaker stated that a ‘National Legislative Index’ will be prepared to make legislatures more effective, people-oriented and accountable. A committee has already been constituted for this purpose.
He said the index would:
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Enable objective evaluation of legislative performance
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Encourage healthy competition among legislatures
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Improve quality of debate and governance
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Strengthen public accountability
This initiative is expected to bring greater transparency and benchmarking in the functioning of democratic institutions.
Call for Minimum 30 Sittings Annually in State Legislatures
Shri Birla stressed the need to ensure at least 30 sittings per year in State Legislatures, noting that more sittings allow for:
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Meaningful discussions
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Serious debate on public issues
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Effective representation of people’s aspirations
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Stronger democratic accountability
He emphasized that legislatures must function as true platforms for public voice.
Ahead of Budget Session: Appeal Against Disruptions
Addressing a press conference, the Lok Sabha Speaker expressed concern over frequent disruptions in parliamentary proceedings. He said:
“Continuous planned disruptions are not appropriate for the country’s democracy. The greatest loss is suffered by the citizens.”
He urged all political parties to cooperate in ensuring smooth conduct of the House, adding that accountability to the people is not limited to elections but is a continuous democratic responsibility.
Presiding Officers as Guardians of the Constitution
Shri Birla described Presiding Officers as more than procedural authorities, calling them the sentinels of the Constitution and custodians of democratic decorum. He noted that their:
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Impartiality
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Sensitivity
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Firmness
play a crucial role in shaping the quality and direction of legislative proceedings.
Six Key Resolutions Adopted at AIPOC 2026
The conference adopted six significant resolutions aimed at strengthening India’s democratic institutions:
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Re-dedication towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047
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Ensuring a minimum of 30 sittings per year in State Legislatures
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Greater use of technology for transparent and citizen-centric governance
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Strengthening leadership in participatory democratic institutions
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Capacity building of MPs and MLAs in digital tools and research-based debates
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Creation of a National Legislative Index for benchmarking legislative performance
These resolutions aim to modernize legislative functioning while reinforcing democratic accountability.
Key Themes Discussed During the Conference
The plenary sessions focused on three major themes:
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Leveraging technology for transparent and efficient legislative processes
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Capacity building of legislators for stronger democratic governance
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Accountability of legislatures towards the people
Shri Birla said such platforms promote coordination between democratic institutions and strengthen governance across the country.
Conclusion
The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference has emerged as a significant milestone in reinforcing India’s parliamentary democracy. With proposals such as the National Legislative Index, emphasis on increased sittings, technological adoption, and stronger ethical conduct, the conference laid a clear roadmap towards making legislatures more responsive, accountable and people-centric. The outcomes reaffirm India’s commitment to democratic values as the nation moves toward the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
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Source: PIB
