Harivansh calls for legislative debates on roadmap to developed India by 2047

Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Saturday emphasized the need for discussions in every legislature on the roadmap to achieving a developed India by 2047.

Speaking at the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Meet in Bengaluru, Harivansh said, “The citizens of this country elect their representatives. It is the collective duty of every legislator—whether in the Assembly or the government—to have a broad vision for the future. Every state is at a different stage of its developmental journey. Therefore, we need regular discussions in every legislature to chart the path toward a developed India by 2047.”

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He also highlighted the growing issue of indiscipline in legislatures, attributing it to pre-determined, party-sponsored disruptions.

“Back in 1955, the first Chairman of the Rajya Sabha had warned about the conduct of some members as professional agitators. One can only imagine what he would have thought of disruptions being enacted today as a planned parliamentary strategy. Without addressing party-sponsored disruptions, it is difficult to correct the behaviour of errant members,” he noted.

The Deputy Chairman underlined the importance of predictability in legislative institutions. “The central goal of our legislatures must be to provide predictability in times of uncertainty to our citizens and businesses. The country looks to us to plan for these. Therefore, we must not take the credibility of our legislative institutions for granted,” he said.

Harivansh further pointed out the lack of debate on several legislations despite broad consensus among parties. He cited the example of the legislation banning online money gaming, noting that while members had raised the issue during Question Hour and Zero Hour, many were busy disrupting proceedings when the Bill was introduced.

The three-day CPA conference, which concluded on Saturday, saw participation by presiding officers from various states. It ended in the presence of Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, providing a platform to deliberate on key issues affecting legislative institutions and the nation’s development.