New York: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan addresses during the 34th Gala of Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects in New York on Nov 15, 2014. (Photo: Mohammed Jaffer/IANS)
Gandhinagar, Jan 23 (IANS) Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Saturday stressed the need for "meaningful and structured debates" in parliament and legislatures, and said it was "imperative" that members attend the house regularly.
She made these remarks after the 78th two-day conference of the presiding officers of legislative bodies in India in the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha hall.
Mahajan also emphasised that the members of parliament and legislatures have to, on one hand, address local needs and grievances of their constituents, and on the other, deliberate and speak on various national and international topical issues.
"Members would require informed inputs to fulfil this duty," she said, adding that she has constituted the Speaker's Research Initiative (SRI) to provide adequate support base to the members.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the conference on Friday, she opined that the effectiveness of the legislatures rests on public trust and reiterated that discipline and decorum in the house was the key to maintaining the credibility and dignity of the institution.
