Lucknow, Jan 17 (UNI) Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi here on Friday said that the country's constitutional federal system of governance is the guarantee of “unity in diversity”.
Speaking on the topic of “Enhancing Focus of Legislators on Legislative Business” at the 7th Conference of CPA India Region here, Mr Naqvi said that while on one hand in Indian Constitution; the Article 105 ensures powers and privileges of Parliament and Assemblies, on the other Article 51A talks about the Fundamental Duties of the Indian Citizens.
Mr Naqvi said that a proper environment for enjoying rights will be created if every citizen performs his duties. The people’s representatives should set an example for the common people in this regard. "Our country has emerged not only as the largest democracy but also as a glowing symbol of a vibrant, pluralistic culture with the flourishing parliamentary system, with the Constitution acting as the guarantee of protecting the rights of every society," he said.
"Rights and Responsibilities are two sides of the same coin and both go together.If we have rights, we also have some responsibilities attached to those rights. Wherever we are living, whether it is at home, society, village, state or country, rights and responsibilities go with us together," Mr Naqvi said.
The Union Minister said that as a good citizen of the country, we need to know and learn our rights and duties and make them an essential part of the life for the welfare of society and the country. "If life can be changed through individual actions, then why the collective efforts made in the society cannot bring positive effects in the country and the whole society?", he asked. Therefore, fulfill the Fundamental Duties is necessary for the prosperity and peace of the society and the entire country.
Mr Naqvi said that while choosing an apt form of government for the newly Independent India, the forefathers preferred to choose Parliamentary Democracy, thereby, making the Government of the day accountable to its electorate.
In order to pass effective laws, the Legislatures need time, energy, information and thought on the part of its members, i.e. the Legislators. It is in this context that focus and capacity building of Legislators on the legislative business becomes of paramount importance in the success of a parliamentary democracy.
"As we all know, policy-making in today’s era is ever evolving and in the light of the changing socio-political realities, it is incumbent upon the Legislatures to be responsive towards the needs of not only public at large but also various groups working for welfare of the people," he added.

It is noteworthy to mention that in Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) has been successfully conducting Orientation Programmes for the newly elected members of Parliament, he said.

Mr Naqvi said that in a scenario like the 17th Lok Sabha, where 267 out of 543 Members of the Parliament are first time Members, their capacity building and initiation into effective legislative business becomes a necessity for the former to function effectively. This situation can be witnessed in Assemblies also where about more than 50 per cent Members happen to be the first time Member, he said.
UNI MB PS 1455