Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday said that Legislatures are not mere formal institutions but the “soul” of the State, shaping governance, justice, and progress for both present and future generations.
He had given the statement while addressing the Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliam-entary Association (CPA), India Region, Zone-II, held at Tapovan in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking on the theme “Role of Legislatures in Managing State Resources vis-à-vis Development of the State,” Gupta underscored the critical role of elected assemblies in ensuring transparent governance and inclusive growth.
He said that through open debate and collective decision-making, Legislatures approve every plan, policy, and law, making them central to a state’s development.
The Speaker highlighted the importance of parliamentary tools such as Question Hour, Calling Attention Motions, and special debates in holding governments accountable and bridging the gap between grassroots issues and state-level action.
He also emphasized the role of committees in monitoring government expenditure, maintaining fiscal discipline, and ensuring delivery of welfare schemes.
Gupta pointed out that annual budgets affect every citizen, from welfare schemes to healthcare and education, and it is the responsibility of the Legislature to ensure resources are used wisely. Calling for cooperation across party lines, he urged legislators to prioritise public welfare above politics and contribute actively to legislative proceedings.
He concluded by stressing the need for visionary, regionally relevant and environmentally sustainable policies to meet the nation’s development goals.
