Chandigarh, Nov 2 Public representatives may follow different political ideologies, but the progress of Haryana and its people remains their shared goal, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Monday.
Addressing the inaugural session of ‘Janpratinidhi Sammelan’ organised by Haryana Vidhan Sabha in Panchkula as part of the ‘Samvidhan Pakhwada’ programme, Saini said public representatives have a responsibility to understand the aspirations and needs of the people and contribute to the state’s development.
The chief minister pointed out that Haryana completed 60 years of its formation on Sunday.
Congratulating people on the state’s diamond jubilee, he said Haryana’s 60-year development journey is not merely a story of expanding roads, institutions and industries, but also reflects the hard work of farmers, labourers, women, youth and ordinary citizens.
From green fields to industrial achievements, from village pathways to modern expressways, and from traditional wrestling arenas to international sporting platforms, Haryana has written new chapters of progress through hard work, courage and determination.
The foundation of the state’s achievements had also been laid through discussions, decisions and legislation shaped by public representatives in the Vidhan Sabha, he said.
Saini said when Haryana came into existence on November 1, 1966, the Legislative Assembly had 54 members. The number of seats increased to 81 in 1967 and subsequently to 90 in 1977.
There is a need to increase the number of seats further to ensure wider public participation and make more facilities accessible to the people, he said.
The chief minister said the first sitting of the Vidhan Sabha was held on December 6, 1966, when resources were limited, and expanding basic facilities such as education, healthcare, drinking water, irrigation, electricity, roads and administrative infrastructure posed major challenges.
He expressed gratitude to all public representatives who had worked under those circumstances to lay a strong foundation for the state’s future.
Saini said public respect for the Constitution must be reflected in decisions and conduct. The Preamble embodies the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, and public representatives are duty-bound to translate these ideals into governance.
Vidhan Sabha is an important forum to make laws, approve the use of public funds and hold the government accountable. A meaningful question raised in the House could help resolve a village’s problem, while a constructive suggestion on a Bill could improve the lives of lakhs of citizens, he said.
Question Hour, Calling Attention motions, budget discussions and the work of legislative committees keep the parliamentary system vibrant. Effective use of these processes required study, preparation and continuous engagement with the people, he added.
Saini said accountability strengthened governance, and listening seriously to issues of public interest raised by the Opposition was a democratic responsibility. Similarly, offering practical suggestions alongside criticism was also an important service in public life.
He said debates in the House could be intense, but the dignity of language must always be maintained. Public representatives can counter one another’s views through reasoned arguments and strengthen public confidence in democracy and the Constitution through their conduct.
Saini said citizens could now instantly observe the words and conduct of public representatives through digital platforms. The younger generation, in particular, learns from them how differences of opinion should be expressed in public life.
It is therefore essential to verify facts, avoid personal attacks and use responsible language when referring to constitutional institutions, he said.
Saini said ‘Janpratinidhi Sammelan’ would become more meaningful when discussions extended beyond conference halls to villages, schools and residential communities.
Saini urged sitting and former MLAs to organise dialogues on the Constitution with young people in their respective constituencies.
Initiatives such as Youth Parliaments, readings of the Preamble and discussions on local issues should be organised in schools and colleges.
These activities would help students understand the functioning of the Vidhan Sabha and the values enshrined in the Constitution while strengthening their faith in democracy, he said.
(PTI News)
