Forthcoming Budget Session: Lok Sabha Speaker cautions against planned disruptions

Lucknow, Jan 21: The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC), held at the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Bhavan, Lucknow, from January 19 to 21, 2026, concluded successfully Wednesday with the valedictory address by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
In the concluding session of the Conference, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council and the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly addressed the gathering.
In his valedictory address, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that a ‘National Legislative Index’ will be prepared to make Legislatures more effective, people-oriented and accountable, which would facilitate a healthy competition among the legislatures, enhance quality of dialogue and efficiency among Legislatures across the country. He also informed that a committee has been constituted in this regard.
Birla said that a minimum of 30 sittings per year should be ensured in State Legislatures so that Legislatures can become an effective platform for expression of people’s aspirations. He said that the more the House functions, the more meaningful, serious and result-oriented discussions will be possible.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also addressed a press conference. Responding to a question on ensuring smooth conduct of proceedings during the forthcoming Budget Session, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that continuous planned disruptions and disturbances in the House are not appropriate for the country’s democracy. When disruptions take place in the House, the greatest loss is suffered by the citizens. He said that we must strengthen the culture of Discussion and Dialogue, not Disruption.
He appealed to leaders and Members of all political parties to cooperate in ensuring smooth functioning of the House and said that in a democracy, the people are supreme, and our accountability towards the public is not only during elections, but every day and every moment.
Birla said that Presiding Officers are not merely those who conduct proceedings, but they are the sentinels of the Constitution and the custodians of democratic decorum. Their impartiality, sensitivity and firmness determine the direction of the House. (PIB)