4 July : A two-day orientation programme to acquaint the newly elected MLAs of Madhya Pradesh Assembly with the proceedings and practices of the house began here today. While inaugurating the programme the Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Meira Kumar said empathically that it is wrong to believe on the part of Legislatures that disrupting house proceedings is an effective way to carry a point.
The Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the one and only mission of MLAs should be to work with total dedication and determination to uplift the lot of the poorest of the poor and the weakest of the weak. Vidhansabha Speaker Shri Ishwardas Rohani and Deputy Speaker Shri Harvansh Singh were also present on the occasion.
All the MLAs of the 13th Vidhan Sabha are participating in the orientation programme. Of them, 106 are first timers.
Speaking as chief guest on the occasion Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Meira Kumar said that it is wrong to believe that one can make oneself heard by disrupting the receding of the house. One can make any point successfully by presenting the facts in a logical manner. She said that adherence to parliamentary rules and procedures and honour of the Chair is paramount. Acts like disrupting the proceeding is detrimental to both and the level of parliamentary debates would continue to take a tumble, she added.
CONCERN OVER LOW VOTER TURNOUT
Smt. Meira Kumar called upon the MLAs to work with firm resolve to live up to the expectations and aspirations of people and to withstand the challenges ahead in these fast-changing times. She asked them to undertake an introspection to find the reasons for growing indifference of people in exercising their franchise. If elected public representatives discharge their responsibilities sincerely this tendency would be automatically curbed, she said.
Smt. Kumar underlined the important role of MLAs in a welfare state to serve as a bridge between government and people and to share their pleasures and grieves. She warned that narrow political considerations while raising the issues of public interest would be harmful to the MLAs. After winning the election the public representatives should work rising above narrow political considerations and treat all alike. She said that while the opposition should miss no opportunity to take the government to task when there is something is wrong on its part, it should also appreciate the good works.
ADVICE TO MEDIA
Smt. Meira Kumar had a word of advice for media saying that it should give more importance to constructive works and proceedings of the house without giving undue coverage to unruly scenes. This would help check growing misconception of people about parliamentary system. It would also help MLAs as well as media to protect themselves against their misuse.
Smt. Kumar stressed the need for Vidhansabha Secretariat to play a more creative and active role in smooth conduct of house business through MLAs. It should provide proper guidance to the members on contemporary and relevant subjects and issues. She called for providing an efficient Library, Research, Reference, Documentation and Information Service for this.
CHIEF MINISTER SHRI CHOUHAN
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that politics is a very good medium to serve the cause of people. The MLAs should work with full determination and resolve to uplift the lot of the poor, the weak and the downtrodden.
FIRE IN HEART WITYH COOL MIND
The Chief Minister said that they should be fired with a passion to do the best possible for the people. For this they should keep their mind cool and behave decently with the people. They should be proactive and undertake intensive tours of their constituencies instead of spending too much time in the sate capital. They should be soft-spoken and humble and should lot allow arrogance to grow. While success should not be allowed to go to head, they should remain unruffled in failure. Patience and sincerity of purpose would enable them to perform their duties and responsibilities in a more effective manner. They should work systematically with proper planning, he added.
SHRI ROHANI
In his welcome address the Vidhansabha Speaker Shri Iswhardas Rohani said that the orientation programme has assumed greater importance in view of the increased public expectations. This would help make the house a forum for more dignified and meaningful debates and redressal of public grievances. He said that Madhya Pradesh Vidhansabha has a glorious tradition and the positive approach of the opposition has been laudable. He said that the subjects for the orientation have been chosen carefully and eminent experts have been invited to speak on them.
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kailash Vijaywargiya said that a special feature of Madhya Pradesh Vidhansabha has been that despite ideological differences and hot debates in the house there has been no ill will or animosity between members. The warmth of relations has been maintained. Madhya Pradesh Vidhansabha is one of the five best Assemblies in the country known for meaningful and serious debates.
Leader of Opposition Smt. Jamuna Devi said that despite shortcomings our six-decade-old parliamentary system is excellent. Efforts should be made to remove these shortcomings. She said that in absence of knowledge about procedures and rules the members fail to avail opportunities in the house. She also urged the MLAs to cultivate interest in studying parliamentary literature.
AWARDS
Smt. Meira Kumar presented Dr. Ambedkar Smriti Puraskar and Gandhi Darshan Puraskar. Dr. M.P. Modi received the first Ambedkar Puraskar and Dr. Vedvati Mandavi the second award. Shri Madhusudan Tripathi, Smt. Kamla Rattu and Shri Devendra Jain were recipients of the first, second and third Gandhi Darshan award, respectively. Special awards were also given to Smt. Anjana Gupta and Shri Prakash Parihar.
Smt. Kumar also released to books- “ Madhya Pradesh Vidhansabha Mein Rajyapal Ke Abhibhashan” and “Madhya Pradesh Vidhansabha Mein Avishwas Prastav” on the occasion.
Shri Ishwardas Rohani presented a memento to Smt. Meira Kumar. Smt. Kumar also presented mementos to the guests.
Deputy Speaker Shri Harvansh Singh proposed a vote of thanks.