New Delhi:The strength of democracy lies not in uniform rules, but in building a strong system while respecting diversity. Calling for improvement in the functioning of legislative bodies, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijendra Gupta said that uniform rules should not mean imposing the same rules on every assembly. Model rules should be made keeping in mind the constitutional peculiarities of Delhi, Jammu-Kashmir and Puducherry. In a meeting of the committee organized to bring uniformity in the functioning and procedure of legislative bodies in India, Gupta stressed on adopting gender neutral language in the rules in line with the dignity of women. He said that the increasing role of women power should also be visible in the rules of democratic institutions.
Suggestion of at least 30 meetings and digital notices in a year
In the meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Gupta suggested organizing at least 30 meetings in a year for the assemblies of all the states and strengthening the system of budget, monsoon and winter sessions. He advocated formal recognition of digital notices, electronic documents and online petitions in legislative proceedings. He also stressed on thorough scrutiny of the bills, providing financial and legal details and, if necessary, sending them to select committees. Also talked about giving appropriate powers to the Assembly Speakers in procedural matters.
Big savings of 18,252 pages and environment through paperless meeting
The special achievement of the meeting was that it was organized completely paperless. According to the assessment of Delhi Assembly Secretariat, 18,252 pages were saved due to the digital system. This is estimated to save paper equivalent to 4.4 trees, 18,252 liters of water and about 182.5 kg of carbon emissions. Gupta clarified that the aim of the reforms should not be just uniformity in rules, but to strengthen accountability, transparency and public interest.