CONFERENCE 2

"This has not only presented a challenge for governance
but also for the conduct of the system of parliamentary
democracy as the voices of the smaller parties have found
greater resonance within the political structure," the Prime
Minister said.
He said in such a situation, the role of presiding
officers has come into sharp focus.
The task of running Parliament smoothly, giving due
representation and voice to all sections has become more
complex and challenging, he said.
"The aspirations of the smaller parties may often be
anchored in narrower considerations but they carry great
weight for their constituents," he said, adding in the end
democracy must respond to these everyday concerns of the
common man and Parliament should be the forum to articulate
and address them.
Hailing Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, he said he was
pleased that the Speaker facing these challenges in Indian
Parliament was a "very distinguised woman .... who sheathes
the proverbial iron fist beneath a velvet voice."
Noting that throughout the world, there now was a
generational shift in politics as in business and other
fields, he said in India 70 per cent of the population is
below the age of 35 and they are voting in large numbers. "We
must act to meet their expectations."
Without referring to the long pending women's reservation
bill, he said that it is also imperative that women are given
a more meaningful voice in political and developmental
processes. (More) PTI