MP assembly speaker Tomar hails role of House committees in democracy

Bhopal, Jul 14 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday said Parliament and assemblies have an important role in the democratic system of our country, and various House committees were formed as it not possible for the legislature to ensure close monitoring (of the government) during sessions.
He was speaking while chairing the first meeting of the panel of presiding officers constituted to review the "committee system." It was convened by the Madhya Pradesh assembly.
"The kind of close monitoring required (on the government) during the sessions of Parliament or Vidhan Sabha is not possible. Therefore, the system of formation of committees was started. This is the first meeting of the committee of presiding officers constituted to review the committee system," he said.
Various committees are also formed in the Lok Sabha, in which the budget is discussed and suggestions are given, he said.
"In the same way, there is a system of committees in the Vidhan Sabhas too and they are also working properly. There are four financial committees in Madhya Pradesh. Apart from this, there are two committees for Scheduled Castes and Tribes and Backward Classes. These six are elected. In the remaining 16 committees, names are nominated by the Speaker with the consent of the ruling and opposition parties," he explained.
These committees give recommendations and reports on the instructions given by the Vidhan Sabha, assurances given by the government in the Vidhan Sabha, incomplete answers to questions, matters related to the convenience of the members and other public utility matters. Tomar said.
"Committees play an important role in controlling the executive of the legislature in the legislative, financial and administrative fields. In view the increasing use of technology and steps being taken towards the direction of developed India, it is necessary to consider expanding the role of committees, increasing their efficiency and utility," Tomar said.
The meeting was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Rajasthan's Vasudev Devnani, Himachal Pradesh's Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Sikkim's Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Odisha's Surma Padhi and West Bengal's Biman Banerjee along with chief secretaries and other officers of the legislature of these states.
"In the meeting, strengthening the committee of the Legislative Assemblies and increasing its role in public welfare were considered. Those present gave their suggestions and discussed the subject in detail," an official said.
In the meeting, MP assembly's principal secretary AP Singh presented the outline of the committee meeting and secretary Arvind Sharma conducted the programme.
On the occasion, the participants also planted trees on the assembly premises, the official added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)