Vidhan Bharat

This event serves as a continuum of the momentum generated at NLC Mumbai, underscoring the concerted effort toward advancing legislative expertise and collaborative governance in the country.

National Legislators’ Conference (NLC) Bharat, hosted the NLC Bharat Leadership Conclave for Presiding Officers & Legislators from January 10th to January 12th, 2024, at Saint Dnyaneshwar Hall, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Kothrud, Pune campus.

Set against the backdrop of fostering good governance and enlightened leadership, the conclave welcomed Hon’ble Speakers of State Legislative Assemblies, Hon’ble Chairpersons of State Legislative Council, and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs) hailing from 18 States and 2 Union Territories across India.

This event serves as a continuum of the momentum generated at NLC Mumbai, underscoring the concerted effort toward advancing legislative expertise and collaborative governance in the country.

During the 3-Days Leadership Conclave at Pune, prominent sessions were conducted by distinguished personalities such as Shri. M Venkaiah Naidu, Shri. U. T. Khader,  Shri. Girish Gautam, Shri. Basavaraj Horatti, Shri. Satish Mahana, Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, and Dr. Jayprakash Narayan. These sessions covered topics related to governance, leadership, and the pivotal role of legislators in shaping the future trajectory of the nation.

NLC Bharat: Empowering Legislators, Strengthening Good Governance

The discussions during the NLC Bharat: Empowering Legislators, Strengthening Good Governance session led to the realization that implementing national guidelines is crucial for standardizing rules and business procedures across legislative assemblies. Additionally, the session underscored the importance of revitalizing and reinforcing standing committees within legislatures. It was emphasized that political parties should establish minimum qualifications for individuals seeking candidacy, ensuring a consistent standard. Furthermore, there was consensus on the need for state legislative assemblies and councils to operate for a minimum of 100 days to ensure ongoing legislative activity. The reformation of the anti-defection law (10th schedule to the constitution) was identified as necessary to uphold the integrity of the legislative process. The discussions also highlighted the imperative for presiding officers to maintain impartiality when handling cases of defection to preserve fairness and justice. Lastly, it was emphasized that the timely fulfillment of government assurances and commitments is essential for fostering trust and accountability, avoiding unnecessary delays that may impede progress.

Innovations, Technology, and Strengthening the Fabric of Democracy

For Empowering Legislators and Strengthening Good Governance it was imperative to have insights into how innovations and technology, can strengthen the fabric of democracy highlighting the intersection of technological advancements with democratic principles. This theme emphasizes the importance of leveraging innovation and technology to enhance democratic processes and governance. It emphasized the need for MLAs and MLCs to adapt to evolving technological landscapes to enhance service delivery. Moreover, it highlights the need to strengthen the foundations of democracy by embracing new tools and approaches that promote accountability, inclusivity, and responsiveness in governance.

Sharing the Vision & Mission of NLC Bharat

NLC Bharat encapsulates the essence of a nation embracing its democratic ethos, reflecting a shared vision for a future where democratic principles thrive, and citizens actively participate in shaping the destiny of Bharat. The session stressed the importance of maintaining the non-partisan status of NLC Bharat, ensuring it remains free from any political influence. To foster a collaborative environment beyond political affiliations, the session encouraged MLAs and MLCs to actively share successful practices from their constituencies, promoting mutual learning. A recommendation was made for NLC Bharat to develop and provide tailored training programs for the administrative staff of both MLAs and MLCs. Additionally, there was a proposal to integrate sections on leadership, democracy, and the federal system into the educational curriculum, aiming for a more comprehensive learning experience. Recognizing the significance of building connections with constituents, the session highlighted the MLA Youth Parliament as an effective platform for MLAs to achieve this objective.

Current State of States Finances: Role of Legislators

As stewards of public funds and guardians of fiscal responsibility, legislators play a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing the financial health of their respective states. In this session, the discussion on the intricate interplay between legislators and state finances, highlights the significance of their role in navigating fiscal challenges, ensuring transparency, and fostering sustainable economic growth. The measures proposed encompassed the implementation of the Golden Rule and constraints on borrowing for current expenditures. It was recommended that states adhere to zero revenue deficit targets, aiming for revenue surplus targets under Article 293(4) as a prerequisite for borrowing consent. Other suggestions included discontinuing Revenue Deficit Grants by the Finance Commission, progressively increasing the retirement age in alignment with the rise in average life expectancy and global best practices. Furthermore, the proposal included treating Unfunded Pension Liability under the Old Pension Scheme as a deferred liability, coupled with advocacy for Sustainable Pension Reforms.

Programs discussed in the NLC Bharat Leadership Conclave of Presiding Officers and Legislators

During the NLC Bharat Leadership Conclave for Presiding Officers and Legislators, various programs were presented to fulfill the lacunas as well as to strengthen the existing legislative framework. These programs included discussions on the organization of Vidhayak Chhatra Sansad and the establishment of Political Leadership Schools to be known as the Institute of Political Leadership and Government (IPLG) within the Legislatures. Additionally, initiatives aimed at capacity enrichment of Legislators such as Capacity Advancement Programs Aimed for Building Legislative Excellence (CAPABLE), international study visits named Smart MLAs International Leadership Experiences (SMILE), MLA exchanges programs to be known as Interstate Network for Training, Education, Research, and Collaboration Techniques (INTERACT), and the arrangement of an annual conference – State Assemblies on Mission for Vital All-round Development (SAMVAD) addressing good governance in the Legislatures were also introduced during the conclave.

While expressing gratitude for the confidence shown in NLC Bharat’s initiatives, the Founder Convener of the NLC Bharat Shri. Rahul V. Karad said “We introduced 8 proposals during the 3-day conclave based on the feedback gathered from NLC Bharat participants and continuous communication between the NLC team and legislators. We have identified a consistent demand for capacity advancement programs. So, we came up with some flagship programs like MLA YP, CAPABLE, SMILE, INTERACT, SAMVAD, etc. We also proposed establishing NLC Bharat as a Statutory Body, which received strong endorsement, along with forming working committees for diverse activities. The genuine interest shown fills me with gratitude, and I believe these outcomes will guide us toward a brighter future.”

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