Lawmakers should keep abreast of changing trends — Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker

KOHIMA: Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer on Tuesday said lawmakers should keep themselves abreast of the changing trends to discharge the duties and responsibilities more effectively.

He was addressing a two-day orientation programme organised by Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat, for legislators at the conference hall of Nagaland Legislative Secretariat, Kohima.

“Our primary responsibility is to find solutions to people’s problems and to make the legislature effective; it is necessary that the people’s representatives should be sensitive to the problems of the people and work towards fulfilling their hopes and aspirations,” Longkumer told the legislators.

He maintained that the legislators, as representatives of the people and the bridge between the public and the government, should inculcate in themselves an appreciation of their roles and responsibilities and familiarise themselves with the mechanism of parliamentary institution.

The Speaker opined that to be an effective legislator, one should understand the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the House and the practices and conventions of the House.

These are prerequisites “in our sincere effort towards public service”. he added.

Longkumer also mentioned that Nagaland created history by becoming the first state assembly in the country to implement the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) programme, and “with the collective support of the government officers, we are moving towards becoming completely paperless in the future”.

Further, to keep pace with the advancement in information technology, NLA launched the National e-Vidhan Application in March, 2022, during the Budget Session, he added.

He congratulated the team members of SBL, the implementing agency of the project, for their meticulous, sincere and professional approach which enabled the implementation of the project in the shortest time possible.

The Speaker also acknowledged PRIDE, Lok Sabha Secretariat, for organising the orientation programme in coordination with the NLA.

Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Vinay Kumar Mohan presented the role of legislation for the welfare of people, while Additional Director, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Partha Goswami highlighted the budgetary process.

Earlier in the programme, Secretary in-charge, NLA Secretariat, Khruohituonuo Rio delivered the welcome address.

Several officials will speak on Wednesday, the second and final day of the orientation programme, while Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye will address the valedictory function.