Hamid Ansari lauds role of Bihar's legislative council

Patna, Apr 12 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Thursday said that Bihar Legislative Council has distinguished itself by taking initiatives for public welfare.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Council here, Ansari said: "It is a matter of record that over the years the Council distinguished itself by taking initiatives for public welfare. It was the Council's initiative that resulted in women getting voting rights, in the provision of educational facilities to children of Patna, and the opening of Tibbi and Ayurvedic dispensaries."

"The Council's pioneering experiment in holding the "Child Assembly" sessions allowed children from different parts of the state to present their problems and demanded urgent solutions," he added.

Referring to the importance of bicameralism and the significance of the second chamber in Parliamentary democracies, he said legislative councils widen political participation in our society.

"I would argue that Legislative Councils widen political participation in our society, give opportunities for political representation to professionals and eminent citizens from outside the realm of political parties, and bring the voice of the third tier of government - the Local Government - to decision making and law making processes. They act as a break on hasty legislation," he said.

"Legislative Councils are an important optional institution incorporated by our founding fathers to cater to special circumstances of states. Their utility is in enhancing inclusive and participatory governance and strengthening the pillars of democracy," he added. (ANI)