Democratic institutions, public participation key to Viksit Bharat 2047: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Chandigarh: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday called for transforming the vision of Viksit Bharat into a nationwide mass movement, asserting that the goal of a developed India by 2047 is a national commitment that demands active participation from every citizen and institution.Inaugurating the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-II (North Zone) Conference at the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on Monday, Birla said policies, welfare schemes, govt programmes and budgetary provisions must bring meaningful change to the lives of the poorest sections of society."The resolve of Viksit Bharat is a national pledge. Legislators must ensure that governance, laws and public welfare initiatives translate into grassroots development and social transformation," he said.The conference was attended by Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, parliamentary affairs minister Mahipal Dhanda, ministers, legislators and legislative officials from 12 northern states.Describing the 21st century as an era of major geopolitical changes, Birla said India has emerged as a nation of opportunity through long-term planning, good governance and a strong legal framework. He noted that India has successfully adapted global best practices to suit its socio-economic realities and is gaining increasing international recognition.Stressing the importance of citizen engagement, Birla said public participation is essential for strengthening parliamentary democracy and accelerating social progress. He emphasised that legislative debates, policies and laws should reflect national priorities and the aspirations of the younger generation, adding that transparent governance and a stable legal system are vital for attracting investment and sustaining development.Addressing the gathering, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh said Viksit Bharat 2047 is not merely an economic target but a national mission requiring equal commitment from citizens and elected representatives. He underscored the need for balanced and inclusive development across regions to achieve the objective.Highlighting the contribution of northern states to national growth, Harivansh noted that Punjab and Haryana together produce nearly one-fourth of the country's wheat. He also pointed out that Haryana contributes 3.6% to India's GDP despite accounting for only 1.3% of the nation's geographical area. Praising the state's development efforts, he referred to Haryana's ambition of becoming a trillion-dollar economy and its pioneering establishment of the department of future.Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini said emerging challenges such as AI, cybersecurity, climate change, rising energy demands, the digital economy and social inequalities require not only administrative solutions but also public awareness, social participation and strong legislative leadership.Saini highlighted Haryana's future-oriented initiatives, including the department of future and the Haryana Vision Document-2047, which aims to transform the state into a trillion-dollar economy with per capita income exceeding Rs 40 lakh by 2047.Earlier, Birla inaugurated the newly established Parliamentary Research and Information Centre (PRIC) at the Haryana Assembly complex. MSID:: 131589982 413 |