New Delhi, Aug 25 (FN Agency) People see the Parliament as a medium of transformation in their socio-economic status, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said at a workshop at 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held in Halifax in Canada, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.The Speaker was addressing a workshop titled “A People’s Parliament: Accessibility through Innovation” in Halifax.”People see the Parliament as a medium of transformation in their socio-economic status. Therefore, as the supreme representative body, it is the responsibility of the Parliament to act according to the expectations and aspirations of the people,” Birla said, adding that hopes and aspirations of people in a parliamentary democracy are expressed through the Parliament.
He urged delegates to build a prosperous, inclusive and enlightened society, so that the benefits of development could reach the last person in the queue. Speaking on the successful democratic system in India, Birla said that the people in India have consistently reposed their faith in democratic institutions through free and fair elections in the 75 years since independence.”The increasing voter turnout in the elections has proved that the people consider democracy as the best form of governance,” said the Lok Sabha Speaker.Underlining the role of technology in functioning of legislatures, Birla observed that technology has bridged the gap between democratic institutions and citizens.”In a vast country like India, the IT revolution has played a significant role in empowering democracy. Through information technology, citizens can not only monitor the work of public representatives in Parliament, but public participation in parliamentary democracy can be made more easy and accessible,” he said.
He also mentioned about Digital India Mission, Digital Sansad, Mobile App and Sansad TV.Birla also suggested that the Parliaments of Commonwealth countries should interact regularly, share best practices and help each other to implement these best practices.Birla also met the Speaker of the Senate, Canada, George J. Furey.Mentioning Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections in India, Birla told Furey that a tribal woman – President Draupadi Murumu, has been elected as President of the largest democracy in the world.Birla also met Speaker, House of Commons, Canada, Anthony Rota on sidelines of the Conference and congratulated him for his election as Speaker.