Stressing clarity, transparency, and public welfare in lawmaking, Om Birla highlights the need for capacity building to make legislation more responsive and effective.

CHANDIGARH:  Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated a two-day training workshop on Legislative Drafting and Capacity Building at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh on Friday. The event is jointly organized by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha and the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, Lok Sabha.
In his address, Om Birla emphasized that clear, simple, and transparent laws are the bedrock of a strong democracy. He described legislative drafting as the “soul of democracy”, underscoring its vital role in translating the aspirations of the people into meaningful and effective laws. With evolving social and economic contexts, he noted, laws must keep pace—and for that, consistent training and capacity building are essential.
The inaugural session saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Karnataka Vidhan Sabha Speaker U. T. Khader Fareed, and Haryana Deputy Speaker Dr. Krishan Lal Middha.
Praising Haryana for its contributions to democratic progress, agriculture, and industry, Om Birla commended the state government for its decision to procure all crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP)—a move he called a “historic milestone” under the leadership of CM Nayab Singh Saini.
Reflecting on the relevance of the Constitution, the Speaker described it as a “living guide” that was born from intense national debate and consensus. Even today, he said, it remains the foundation for India’s democratic journey, guiding legislatures to enact laws within their constitutional limits while reflecting the will and welfare of the people.
Birla also highlighted the gradual decline in seasoned legislative drafting experts over the years, a gap he said has been recognized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Their leadership, he said, has emphasized the importance of institutionalized training for young officers, allowing them to learn from veterans who were part of drafting landmark laws.
He stressed that laws must be free of ambiguity. Grey areas in legislative drafting, he warned, often dilute the intent of laws during judicial review. A law that is clear, accessible, and citizen-centric becomes a powerful tool of governance and empowerment.
Reiterating the democratic values of dialogue, debate, and dissent, Birla emphasized that these principles must always be guided by the ultimate aim of public welfare. He called the workshop a timely and much-needed initiative, one that would empower lawmakers and officers to frame effective, inclusive, and future-ready legislation.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the workshop would foster a deeper understanding of legislative processes and encourage collaborative, insightful discussions to shape laws that truly reflect the needs and hopes of the people.