INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP NEWSLETTERVol. XXXVII, No. 2, April 2021

This issue of the Newsletter carries a brief account of important parliamentary

events and activities which took place in India and abroad during the period 1 January to

31 March 2021.

CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIA STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING OF CONFERENCE OF SPEAKERS AND PRESIDING OFFICERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH (CSPOC) HELD VIRTUALLY ON MONDAY, 18 JANUARY 2021

The Standing Committee Meeting of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding

Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) was held virtually on Monday, 18 January

2021.

Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, a member of the Standing

Committee of CSPOC and Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General, Lok Sabha

attended the Meeting.

The main objective of the Meeting was to finalise the Agenda topics for the

26thCSPOC scheduled to be held in Australia in January 2022. For the consideration of

the Standing Committee of CSPOC, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha suggested 3 topics

viz. (i) Enhancing capacity building of parliamentarians through wider use of

internet/online platforms to deal with extraordinary situation of Pandemic; (ii) Reaching

out through e-Parliament for effective interface between the people and the parliament;

and (iii) Strengthening the institutional capacity of Parliament by enhancing the technical

skill of Members and staff of Parliament: Need to modernize, innovate and go virtual to

meet new challenges.

The Standing Committee approved the following Agenda topics for the 26th

CSPOC, incorporating topics suggested by Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha:

Topic 1: Parliaments and the pandemic

• How have parliaments adapted to the pandemic, what issues arose from the adaptations and which of these adaptations may become permanent.

• Parliamentary privilege and virtual proceedings. Topic 2: Security

• The ever-evolving requirements for parliaments in relation to physical (premises and Members) and cyber security.

Topic 3: e-Parliament

• Technology driving evolving relationships between parliament and the people.

• The need for citizens to have access to technology to participate in new ways. Topic4: Role of the Speaker in leading parliamentary innovation; Topic 5: Training for Members andstaff

• New approaches and sharing bestpractices.

The Standing Committee Meeting of Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) was held virtually on Monday, 18 January 2021.

MID-YEAR CPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD VIRTUALLY FROM 23 TO 26 MARCH 2021

The Mid-Year CPA Executive Committee Meeting was held virtually from 23 to 26

March 2021. Following Regional Representatives from CPA India Region in the CPA

Executive Committee attended the meeting:

(1) Shri Anurag Sharma,

MP, Lok Sabha

(2) Shri Prem Chand Aggarwal, Speaker, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha

Besides the Meeting of the CPA Executive Committee, Shri Anurag Sharma, MP

(Lok Sabha) attended the Meeting of Planning and Review Sub-Committee and Shri

Prem Chand Aggarwal, Speaker, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha attended the Meeting of

Finance Sub-Committee in Virtual Mode.

Shri Hitendra Nath Goswami, Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly another

member of the Executive Committee could not attend the meeting due to unavoidable

reasons.

THE SIXTH IRENA LEGISLATORS FORUM HELD VIRTUALLY ON 13 JANUARY

2021

The Sixth edition of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Legislators Forum was held in virtual format on 13 January 2021. The theme of the

Forum was Parliamentary actions to scale up renewable investments: renewable energy

as an enabler of services. Shri Chandra Sekhar Bellana, MP, Lok Sabha attended the

Forum.

VISIT OF H.E. MR. DUARTE PACHECO, PRESIDENT OF INTER-PARLIAMENTARY

UNION (IPU), GENEVA TO INDIA FROM 14-20 MARCH 2021

In November 2020, Mr. Duarte Pacheco, MP, Parliament of Portugal was

elected as the President of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) for a three years’

term. On the special invitation of Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, HE Mr.

Duarte Pacheco, the newly elected IPU President, visited India from 14-20 March 2021,

as his first port of call in Asia.

During his visit, IPU President called on Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President

and Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker, LokSabha, Dr. S.

Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, and Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister of

Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge), and interacted with Parliamentary

Committee on External Affairs. The Visiting Dignitary also witnessed the proceedings of

both the Houses of Parliament.

Mr. Pacheco addressed the Members of Parliament on Tuesday, the 16th March

2021 at 0940 hours in Central Hall, Parliament House in a historic felicitation ceremony

organized under the auspices of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG). Shri Harivansh,

Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha delivered the Welcome Address and Shri Om Birla,

Speaker, Lok Sabha and President of the Indian Parliamentary Group addressed the

distinguished gathering before the address by the Dignitary. Shri Utpal Kumar Singh,

Secretary-General Lok Sabha proposed the Vote of Thanks. Dignitaries led by Prime

Minister Shri Narendra Modi graced the occasion.

IPU President Mr. Duarte Pacheco addressing Members of Parliament in the Central Hall of the Parliament on 16 March 2021

The IPU President also visited Goa and called on Shri Rajesh Patnekar, Hon’ble

Speaker, Goa Legislative Assembly. Mr. Pacheco also met Shri Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble

Chief Minister, Government of Goa and Shri Digambar Kamat, Leader of Opposition,

Goa Legislative Assembly. The dignitary also visited Agra, where he was felicitated by

Mayor of Agra City Shri Naveen Jainand other prominent citizens and civil society

groups.

CALLS-ON / MEETING WITH HON’BLE SPEAKER, LOK SABHA

European Union: H.E. Mr. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament had a virtual meeting with Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on 13 January 2021 in Virtual Mode.

UT of Puducherry: Shri V.P. Sivakolundhu, Hon’ble Speaker of the Puducherry

Legislative Assembly called on Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on

05 February 2021 in Parliament House.

Uzbekistan: H.E. Mr. DilshodAkhatov, Ambassador of the Republic of

Uzbekistan called on Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on 16 March

2021 in Call on Room No.1, Parliament House Annexe

Extension.

H.E. Mr. DilshodAkhatov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan called on Hon’ble Speaker Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla on 16 March 2021in Call on Room No.1, Parliament House Annexe Extension.

Nepal: H.E. Mr. Nilamber Acharya, Ambassador of Nepal called on Hon’ble

Speaker, Lok Sabha on 18 March 2021 in Parliament House.

H.E. Mr. Nilamber Acharya, Ambassador of Nepal, called on Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla on 18 March 2021 in Parliament House.

BIRTH ANNIVERSARIES OF NATIONAL LEADERS

On the birth anniversaries of national leaders whose portraits adorn the Central Hall

of Parliament House, and also on the birth anniversaries of former Speakers of Lok

Sabha, functions are organized under the auspices of the Indian Parliamentary Group

(IPG) to pay tributes to the leaders. Booklets containing the profiles of these leaders,

prepared by the Library and Reference, Research, Documentation and Information

Service (LARRDIS) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, are distributed on the occasion.

The birth anniversaries of the following leaders were celebrated during the period

from 1 January to 31 March 2021:

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Netaji

Subhash Chandra Bose, a function was held on 23 January 2021 in the Central Hall of

Parliament House. Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla; Union Minister of Defence, Shri

Rajnath Singh; Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad and other

dignitariespaid floral tributes at the portrait of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Lok Sabha Speaker, Lok Sabha and other dignitaries after paying floral tributes at the portrait of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Central Hall of Parliament House on 23 January 2021.

Lala Lajpat Rai: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, a

function was held on 28 January 2021 in the Central Hall of Parliament House. Lok

Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla; Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, Union

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Shri Pralhad Joshi; Leader of

Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad; Minister of State (Independent

Charge) Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel; Minister of State for Finance &

Corporate Affairs, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur; and other dignitaries paid floral tributes at

the portrait of Lala Lajpat Rai.

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and other dignitaries after paying floral tributes to Lala Lajpat Rai in the

Central Hall of Parliament House on 28 January, 2021.

Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Shri

M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, a function was held on 4 February 2021 in the Central

Hall of Parliament House. Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla; Union Minister of

Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Shri Pralhad Joshi; Leader of Opposition, Rajya

Sabha, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Culture and

Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel; and other dignitaries paid floral tributes at the portrait

of former Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar.

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and other dignitaries after paying floral tributes to former Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, in the Central Hall of Parliament House on 04 February 2021

Smt. Sarojini Naidu: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Smt. Sarojini

Naidu, a function was held on 13 February 2021 in the Central Hall of Parliament

House. Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla; Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri

Harivansh, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Shri Pralhad Joshi

paid floral tributes at the portrait of Smt. Sarojini Naidu.

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and other dignitaries after paying floral tributes at the portrait of Smt.

Sarojini Naidu in the Central Hall of Parliament House on 13 February 2021.

Shri Morarji Desai: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Shri Morarji Desai, a

function was held on 28 February 2021 in the Central Hall of Parliament House.

Dignitaries paid floral tributes at the Portrait of Shri Morarji Desai in the Central Hall of

Parliament House on his birth anniversary on 28 February 2021.

Parliamentarians pay tributes to Shri Morarji Desai in the Central Hall of Parliament House on 28 February 2021.

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr.Ram Manohar

Lohia, a function was held on 23 March 2021 in the Central Hall of Parliament House.

Parliamentarians and senior Officers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariat paid

floral tributes at the Portrait of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia.

Parliamentarians after paying tributes to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary in the Central Hall of Parliament on 23 March2021

PARLIAMENTARY RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACIES

(PRIDE)

During the period from 01January to 31 March 2021, the Parliamentary Research

and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) has organized the following

Events/Courses/Programmes for Members/Delegates/Probationers/Officials:

Programmes for Hon`ble Members ofParliament:

i) Forty-nine Members of Parliament attended the online Interactive Session

with the Padma Awardees on 18-22 January2021.

ii) Twenty Members of Parliament attended the Capacity Building Programme

for MPs; A series of Lectures on Union Budget: General Provisions of Union

Budget and Direct/Indirect Taxes on 01 February 2021.

iii) Twenty-three Members of Parliament attended the Capacity Building

Programme for MPs; A Series of Lectures on Union Budget: Finance Bill and

Appropriation Bill on 03 February 2021.

iv) Twenty-five Members of Parliament attended the Capacity Building

Programme for MPs; A Series of Lectures on Union Budget: Finance

Commission Report on 03 February 2021.

v) One hundred fifty Members of Parliament attended the Programme

“Celebrating International Women’s Day for Members of Parliament and

Media Persons” on 8 March 2021.

vi) Two hundred seventy MPs/other dignitaries attended the series of

lectures/panel discussions to celebrate International Women`s Day from 8-12 March 2021.

Outreach & Familiarization Programme for Panchayati Raj Institutions:

i) Four hundred forty-five panchayat representatives attended the Outreach

and Familiarization Programme for the Panchayati Raj Institutions at Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 08 January 2021.

ii) One hundred eighteen local bodies representatives attended the Outreach

and Familiarization Programme for the local bodies of Meghalaya and other

North-eastern States at Shillong, Meghalaya from 25-28February 2021.

National Youth Parliament Festival 2021:

Eighty-four children/youth aged between 18-25 years attended the National Youth Parliament Festival 2021 in Central Hall, Parliament House Complex, New Delhi on 11-12 January 2021.

Training Programme for PAs/PSs of Members of Parliament:

Twenty Personal Assistants (PAs) of Member of Parliament attended the online

Training Programme on Members’ E-Portal from 27-28 January 2021.

Appreciation Courses:

Two Appreciation Courses in Parliamentary Processes and Procedures were

organized for:

i) Two hundred fifty Graduate Trainees of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) attended the online Appreciation Course in Parliamentary Processes and Procedures from 02-03 February 2021.

ii) Eighteen Probationers of the Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS) and Indian Railways Personnel Service (IRPS) attended the online Appreciation Course in Parliamentary Processes and Procedures from 18-19 March 2021.

Training Course in Parliamentary Processes and Procedures for the Officers of various Ministries/Departments of Government:

Thirty officials of various Ministries/Departments of Government of India attended the online Training Programme on "Parliamentary Processes and Procedures” on 18 February 2021.

Study-Visits (National):

i) Seventy-one Tribal Representatives, attending the Republic Day Parade to

represent the Scheduled Tribes of various States and UTs, conducted study visit to Parliament House on 27 January 2021.

ii) One hundred and sixteen officers in the delegation of armed forces and other

officers undergoing a training programme at the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi undertaken Study-Visit at PRIDE on 03 March2021.

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