Shimla: The 82nd All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC), which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi tomorrow, will discuss two Agenda items, namely (i) Journey of a Century – Evaluation and the way forward; and (ii) Responsibility of Presiding Officers towards the Constitution, the House and the People.
The first theme will trace the journey of AIPOC during the last hundred years. During the past century, the Conference has deliberated on several crucial aspects of the functioning of Legislative bodies in India which include autonomy of legislature secretariats, role of Presiding Officers, financial autonomy of Legislative Secretariats, Anti Defection Law, e governance, uniformity in rules and procedures and discipline and decorum. The presiding officer will deliberate on the implementation and efficacy of recommendations of the Conference in streamlining the functioning of Legislative bodies and share ideas on for further reforms, if needed.
The second theme will highlight the role and duties of the Presiding Officers in ensuring orderly conduct of the proceedings in the Legislatures. During the discussions, the delegates will review various recommendations made by the Conference during the past century. The Conference will also discuss ways for further empowering the Chair with requisite mandate to facilitate purposive discussions on the floor of the House.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Shri Harivansh along with Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Jairam Thakur, will also grace the Inaugural Function and address the distinguished delegates.
The Valedictory Session of the Conference will be held on Thursday, 18 November, 2021.
Earlier today, the 58th Conference of Secretaries of Legislative Bodies in India was held at the Himanchal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, today. The one day Conference was organized on the sidelines of the 82nd All India Presiding Officers Conference.
The Secretary General, Lok Sabha and Chairperson, Conference of Secretaries of Legislative Bodies in India, Shri Utpal Kumar Singh addressed the delegates. Speaking on the occasion Shri Singh spoke about the many initiatives taken by the Parliament to deal with the corona pandemic in the last two years. Shri Singh informed the delegates about the recent initiatives of Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla to strengthen grass root democracy by organising Outreach & Familiarization Programme for Panchayati Raj Institutions/Local Bodies across the country. He mentioned that four such Programmes for the Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions have been organized in various parts of the country this year. Shri Singh also mentioned that the New Building of Parliament of India is expected to be completed in time for Parliament’s Winter Session in 2022.
The The 58th Conference of Secretaries of Legislative Bodies in India discussed issues related to Capacity building of Members for enriching debates and discussion in the House. Due to the challenges brought forward by the pandemic the conference also discussed the need for Online Committee meetings: Need of the House, Challenges and way ahead. Desirability of having uniform Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business was also discussed during the one day Conference. A total of twenty three delegates from Legislative Bodies across the nation participated in the Conference.
The Conference was earlier addressed by the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha Shri P. C. Mody. Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Shri Yash Paul Sharma gave the welcome address.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker and other delegates have arrived in Shimla to participate in the Conference.
