While addressing the inaugural session of the 82nd All India Presiding Officers' Conference virtually, on Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested for 'One Nation-One Legislative Platform'. He said this portal can not only give the necessary technological boost to the parliamentary system but also work to connect all the democratic units of the country.

He also asked lawmakers and legislatures to follow Indian values and give primacy to one's duties, terming it as the mantra to speed up India's development.

“Next 25 years are very important for India. During this, can we with full strength, dedication and response execute one mantra? In my view that mantra is duty, duty and duty," the prime minister said.

He called for collective efforts, including from states, to take the country to new heights of progress and cited the fight against COVID-19 as a "historic" example of 'sabka prayas’.

The prime minister also asserted that it is the legislatures' responsibility to be vigilant about any discordant voice about the country's unity and integrity.

"It is our unity that preserves our diversity," he added.

"Our policies and laws should strengthen the spirit of Indianness, the resolve of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. Most importantly, our own conduct in the house should be according to Indian values. It is the responsibility of all of us," the prime minister said.

He also mooted the idea of having a separate time in legislatures for quality and healthy debates that should be serious, dignified and devoid of political potshots at others.

In a way, it should be a "healthy time" for a House, he said.

“Can we keep 3-4 days in a year in which public representatives, who are doing something special for the society, tell the country about this aspect of their social life as well? With this, other public representatives will also get to learn a lot,” he said.

“In the thousands of years of development, people have come to realise that in the midst of diversity, flows the grand, divine and unbroken stream of unity, and this unbroken stream of unity nourishes and preserves our diversity”, he said.

Addressing the gathering, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in his speech called for one set of rules and procedures for all legislative bodies in the country.

He expressed his concern about the decrease in the sittings of the legislatures and discussions over bills and said some decisive steps are needed to be taken by consulting all political parties.

Birla also stressed the need for developing a model document suggesting a set of uniform rules and procedures for all legislative bodies in the country.

The All India Presiding Officers' Conference (AIPOC) is the apex body of the Legislatures in India. The first conference was also held in Shimla in 1921 and to commemorate the centennial year, the conference is being held in Shimla on November 17-18.

Image Courtesy: ANI