Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered praise on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday for his adept management of the House over the span of five years, highlighting his unwavering smile and commendable initiatives.
“Your perpetual smile has been a constant presence. It never wavered. You steered this House with fairness and impartiality through numerous instances, and for this, I commend you. Despite moments of tension and accusations, you handled the situations with patience, ensuring the smooth functioning of the House and providing guidance to us. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for this,” stated the Prime Minister during his address on the final day of the 17th Lok Sabha.
“I am appreciative of the Chair for spearheading the implementation of technology for conducting a ‘Paperless Parliament.’ It is your expertise and the cooperation of esteemed members that have led to a remarkable 97% productivity rate during the tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha,” he further added.
The Prime Minister noted the Speaker’s decision to open the doors of the Parliament library to the general public.
“Enabling access to this treasury of knowledge, this bastion of traditions, to the common people is a significant service. I express my gratitude for this,” he remarked.
Highlighting the long-standing discussions regarding the necessity of a new Parliament building without any concrete decisions, the Prime Minister credited the leadership of the Lok Sabha Speaker for driving the matter forward.
“It was under your guidance, Mr. Lok Sabha Speaker, that progress was made on this front. You facilitated discussions with the government, ultimately resulting in the construction of the new Parliament building for the nation,” concluded the Prime Minister.
