Birla voices concern over decline in House sittings at SC-ST meet

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday voiced concern over the decline in the number of sittings of legislatures and the disruptive conduct of members, calling the erosion in the level of debate inside the House a serious matter.

Inaugurating the National Conference of Chairpersons of Committees of Parliament and State Legislatures on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Bhubaneswar, Birla urged legislators to rise above party lines on issues of national importance.

Reaffirming the Constitution’s commitment to social justice and equality, he said these ideals had guided India’s democratic journey over the past 75 years. “The dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is possible only with justice, equality and dignity for all,” he stressed, recalling BR Ambedkar’s vision of an India where marginalised communities live with dignity and equal opportunity.

Emphasising the role of welfare schemes, Birla highlighted the need for proper utilisation of government funds and robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure that benefits reached Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other disadvantaged groups. “True empowerment goes beyond financial aid and must foster self-reliance, dignity and opportunities for growth,” he said.

The Speaker underlined that committees are the backbone of parliamentary democracy, ensuring accountability and inclusive development. He noted that committee deliberations, unlike partisan debates in the House, often result in consensus-driven recommendations that strengthen welfare policies.

The two-day conference, being held outside Delhi for the first time, has brought together 140 delegates, including chairpersons and members of parliamentary and state legislature committees on the welfare of SCs and STs. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and Parliamentary Committee Chairperson Dr Faggan Singh Kulaste also addressed the gathering.

The theme of the conference is “Role of Parliamentary and Legislature Committees in Welfare, Development and Empowerment of SCs and STs.”