Accountability Gives Democracy Its Meaning: AP Speaker

Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu has asserted that democracy derives its true meaning only when legislative institutions remain accountable to the people. He made these remarks while delivering a key address on the theme “Accountability of Legislatures to the People” on Wednesday, the concluding day of the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference held in Lucknow , the capital of Uttar Pradesh .

Highlighting the spirit of the Indian Constitution , the Speaker said it was framed in the name of “We, the People of India” , affirming that citizens are the ultimate sovereigns in a democratic system. Recalling the late N.T. Rama Rao’s famous slogan “Society is the temple and people are the gods,” he stressed that legislatures are not merely buildings for lawmaking but vital platforms to address and resolve the problems of the common people .

Expressing concern over the declining number of legislative sittings , Ayyannapatrudu observed that reduced House time is detrimental to democracy . He suggested that legislatures should mandatorily meet for at least 60 to 75 days a year and called for national-level guidelines in this regard. He conveyed this proposal to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla .

Emphasising the need to bring legislative functioning closer to citizens in the digital era , the AP Speaker elaborated on the technological reforms being implemented in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly . Making House proceedings, debates and reports accessible to the public , he said, would enhance transparency and strengthen public trust in the system.

He also underlined that legislators’ conduct is constantly under public scrutiny and that responsible behaviour by members alone would earn respect for the institution . Special training on parliamentary values for newly elected members , he said, was essential. He further advocated the implementation of a “no work, no pay” policy for MLAs who fail to attend Assembly sessions and urged Presiding Officers across the country to focus on this issue.

The three-day conference witnessed detailed deliberations on three major themes : leveraging technology to make legislative processes citizen-centric , strengthening governance by enhancing the skills of elected representatives , and ensuring accountability of legislatures to the people . Key discussions centred on digital Assemblies , paperless functioning , live streaming of proceedings for greater transparency , maintaining discipline and decorum , reducing disruptions , encouraging public participation , and considering public opinion in lawmaking .

Addressing the valedictory session , Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called upon Presiding Officers to function impartially and remain above politics , stating that democracy would flourish only through such neutrality . The AP Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to developing the Andhra Pradesh Assembly as a model legislature .

The conference, chaired by Om Birla , was attended by Speakers from 28 States across the country . Several delegates lauded the suggestions made by the AP Speaker . The conference will conclude with the delegates’ visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya .