Manesar, Haryana – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday highlighted a noticeable improvement in the functioning of the 18th Lok Sabha, stating that frequent disruptions have significantly reduced, leading to higher productivity and more meaningful debates in Parliament.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the first national conference of the heads of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from various States and Union Territories, Birla said democracy flourishes through dialogue, patience, and structured debate.
The two-day conference, held in Manesar under the theme “Role of Urban Local Bodies in Strengthening Constitutional Democracy and Nation Building”, is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
Birla pointed out that the current Lok Sabha often conducts late-night sittings and extended debates, reflecting a more mature and responsible legislative culture.
He encouraged Urban Local Bodies to emulate Parliament’s practices—such as Question Hour and Zero Hour—which help keep the executive accountable and amplify public concerns in an organized manner.
He expressed concern that irregular or short municipal meetings dilute the effectiveness of local governance and weaken citizen trust. Birla called for regular sittings, robust committee structures, and transparent civic engagement in cities to improve service delivery and uphold democratic values.
He observed that a decline in protest-led disruptions and placard-waving in Parliament has improved legislative quality and enhanced public perception of parliamentary institutions.
“We must adopt a culture of constructive debate and avoid disruptive behaviour at all levels of governance,” Birla said.
Describing ULBs as the closest tier of governance to citizens, Birla emphasised their vital role in delivering essential services such as infrastructure development, sanitation, waste management, road maintenance, and pollution control.
He cited Gurugram as a model for how cities rooted in tradition can embrace innovation to drive local development.
Looking ahead, Birla noted that with India’s urban population projected to surpass 600 million by 2030, ULBs must evolve beyond just providing basic services.
He urged them to become dynamic institutions of self-governance and key stakeholders in India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned in “Viksit Bharat @2047.”
The Speaker also lauded the growing representation of women in urban governance, with many ULBs achieving close to 50% female participation.
He advocated for greater training, leadership development, and policy exposure for women leaders to help them assume larger roles in public administration.
Reinforcing India’s identity as the “mother of democracy”, Birla said that local self-governance—from Gram Sabhas to urban bodies—has always been integral to India’s democratic ethos.
He argued that when local institutions are strong and responsive, State Assemblies and Parliament also become more effective in addressing the public’s needs.
He concluded by urging local leaders to focus on citizen-centric governance, long-term planning, and institutional capacity-building, ensuring that India’s cities become resilient, equitable, and globally competitive.
The conference brought together municipal chairpersons, elected leaders, and senior officials from across the country to exchange ideas and build synergies for better local governance.
On the final day, delegates will present group reports and actionable recommendations. The valedictory session will be addressed by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh and other senior dignitaries in attendance.
Also present at the event were Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh and Speaker of Haryana Vidhan Sabha Harvinder Kalyan, who joined in supporting the call for stronger, more accountable urban institutions to help steer India towards its developmental goals.
