Governor Shukla, while addressing the valedictory session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-2 Conference at the Vidhan Sabha complex in Tapovan, said that good governance has moved beyond theory and has become a practical, achievable model powered by digital transformation.
He highlighted how digital technology has revolutionized governance by enabling better resource management, increasing transparency in public service delivery, and boosting citizen engagement in policy formulation. “Good governance is no longer just an ideal—it is now a pragmatic and essential approach,” the Governor remarked.
Commending the successful organization of the annual CPA conference, the Governor congratulated the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and said the venue of Tapovan added symbolic value to the discussions, reinforcing the democratic ethos of the nation. He expressed gratitude to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for inaugurating the conference and said it was an honour to address its concluding session.
Welcoming Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh and delegates from across the country, the Governor noted that the conference hosted critical deliberations on the role of legislatures in managing limited resources while meeting growing public expectations. “In a democracy, legislatures must go beyond lawmaking and actively ensure transparent, equitable, and accountable use of economic, natural, and human resources,” he said.
Referring to the session held on June 30, the Governor stressed that while resources are finite, expectations are not. This underscores the responsibility of legislatures to be visionary and people-centric in policy oversight and implementation.
He also addressed two key topics discussed during the conference — the Anti-Defection Law and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legislative processes. On the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, he said that although it was enacted to protect democratic integrity, it has since faced interpretative and political complexities. He called for a nationwide dialogue to revisit and reinforce the law to uphold the public mandate.
Speaking on AI, Governor Shukla emphasized that the technology is not futuristic but a present-day necessity. “AI can improve the functioning of legislatures by digitizing records, enhancing research capabilities, organizing virtual sessions, and analyzing data for informed decision-making,” he added.
He reiterated that the strength of Indian democracy lies in the culture of dialogue and debate, and the CPA conference served as a powerful platform for this. He expressed confidence that the insights exchanged during the two-day event would enhance the effectiveness of legislative institutions and further deepen democratic values.
The Governor praised the conference’s central theme, “Good Governance in the Digital Age: Resource Management, Safeguarding Democracy, and Embracing Innovation,” noting its relevance to current governance challenges and its visionary approach for future generations. He concluded by emphasizing the need for legislatures to become more responsive and accountable by integrating innovation and digital empowerment into governance.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Dr. Harivansh, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, and Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar also addressed the gathering.
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