New Delhi/Guwahati July 31 (FN Bureau) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday inaugurated the new building of the Assam State Legislature at Guwahati in Assam.On this occasion, speaking on the role of public representatives in upholding and strengthening democracy, Birla emphasised that they are custodians of the faith of people. He, however, expressed pain at the manner in which dissent is being manifested by disrupting the proceedings of the House, sloganeering, use of inappropriate display of placards in the House, instead of thorough dialogue and discussions, Lok Sabha Secretariat communiqué said.
Expressing concern that coordinated and designed disruptions are lowering the dignity of the House, Birla urged his legislators not to treat legislatures as physical buildings, but as sacred places of debates and discussions where the problems of the people are solved and the spirit of democracy is strengthened. He suggested that all members, irrespective of their political affiliations, should try to preserve the dignity and decorum of legislative bodies, the statement said.Reminding that the discussions held in legislatures have a profound impact on the general populace, he appealed to the law makers to use the legislative for fulfilling hopes and aspirations of people. People’s representatives should use these for constructive debates, stressed Birla, it said.He observed that our legislatures should become vibrant centers of discussion so that governance is accountable and transparent.
He counselled that it is the responsibility of the members of all parties, ruling and the opposition, to run the House with dignity.Earlier, dedicating the new Assembly Building to the people of Assam, Birla said that it stood as an embodiment of the aspirations of the people and for the welfare of the people. He lauded the fact that the diversity of North East India has been accommodated in the new building and believed that the new Vidhan Sabha building would take Assam’s resolve for development towards fulfillment and witness the rise of a self-reliant Assam.He felt that the new building will stand as a befitting reminder of new Assam’s aim of moving forward with renewed resolve, confidence, zeal and enthusiasm and hoped that this new building will become a powerful medium of this new journey.Speaking about the transition of the legislature from the old Assembly building to the new, Birla paid homage to several great personalities who have made a major contribution to the development of Assam and enhancing its pride.
He expounded that this occasion was the culmination of the efforts of almost a century and we should be grateful for their immense contribution and must draw inspiration from their life and works, it said.Further touching upon the history of the democratic process in Assam, Birla said that the old building of the Legislative Assembly stood as a testament to the democratic journey of Assam. It has been witness to many transformative laws which were the outcome of discussion and dialogue for the welfare of the people of Assam during the last 75 years after independence. He further elaborated that while the old building was a witness to the formation of several states of the north eastern region which were bifurcated from Assam from time to time, the move of shifting the capital from Shillong and consequently, the legislative Assembly first to Dispur and then to Guwahati holds a special significance in Assam’s democratic history, it said.
Drawing a parallel to the recently inaugurated New Parliament Building, Birla appreciated that the new Assam Legislative building was not only a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat but also an embodiment of the new self-reliant Assam. The new building built for modern requirements using the latest technology is equipped with the latest amenities and boasts of state of the art facility but at the same time exhibits facets of diversity of culture exhibiting Assam’s rich heritage. The new building also had proper arrangement of natural lighting, adequate space and digital connectivity, which the Speaker felt would go a long way in helping Members to work effectively with more capacity and creativity, it added.