Uniform Rules Must Respect Constitutional Diversity: Vijender Gupta

New Delhi: Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has called for reforms in legislative procedures, emphasising that uniformity in rules must not come at the cost of India's constitutional diversity. He said model rules for legislative bodies should accommodate the distinct constitutional frameworks of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry rather than impose identical procedures on every assembly.

Speaking at a committee meeting convened to promote greater consistency in the functioning and procedures of legislative bodies across India, Gupta stressed that reforms should strengthen democratic institutions while respecting regional and constitutional differences.

Why Must Legislative Rules Reflect Diversity?

Gupta argued that standardising procedures should not mean overlooking the specific needs and constitutional position of individual legislatures. He advocated developing model rules that promote efficiency without undermining their distinct characteristics.

He also called for gender-neutral language in legislative rules, saying the growing role of women in public life should be reflected in the functioning of democratic institutions. According to him, legislative procedures must uphold dignity and promote greater respect for women.

Stronger Sessions and Digital Procedures Proposed

At the meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Gupta suggested that state legislatures should hold at least 30 sittings annually. He also called for stronger arrangements for the Budget, Monsoon and Winter sessions to ensure more consistent legislative functioning.

He recommended formally recognising digital notices, electronic documents and online petitions as part of legislative proceedings. Gupta further emphasised the need for detailed scrutiny of bills, access to financial and legal information, and referral of legislation to select committees whenever necessary. He also advocated granting assembly speakers appropriate authority to deal with procedural matters.

Paperless Meeting Delivers Measurable Savings

The meeting was conducted entirely without paper, marking a practical step towards digital governance. According to an assessment by the Delhi Assembly Secretariat, the paperless arrangement saved 18,252 pages.

The estimated environmental benefits included paper equivalent to approximately 4.4 trees, around 18,252 litres of water and nearly 182.5 kilograms of carbon emissions. The figures underline how digital systems can help reduce resource consumption in legislative administration.

Gupta maintained that the purpose of procedural reform should extend beyond making rules uniform. He said the broader objective must be to improve accountability, transparency and public interest while strengthening democratic institutions.