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Democracy only mechanism to resolve social tension: Joshi
Dhaka, Oct 09: Asserting that democracy was the only mechanism to resolve social tensions and clash of interests in a world torn by conflicts, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi today asked those in the executive and Parliament to work together to strengthen the system.
Dhaka, Oct 09: Asserting that democracy was the only mechanism to resolve social tensions and clash of interests in a world torn by conflicts, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi today asked those in the executive and Parliament to work together to strengthen the system.
"We should remember that if democracy fails, there will be no executive, no parliament. The future of mankind will be very bleak," he said at the plenary session of the 49th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference here.
In a world torn by conflicts, clash of interests, social tensions and economic disparities, "Democratic functioning provides the only effective solution", he said, adding that democracy was the "best known mechanism" to ensure social harmony and achieve lasting economic development. Joshi said there was no alternative to a situation where democracy has failed. "Therefore, to foster the spirit of democracy, all four well-known pillars -- executive, legislature, judiciary and the media -- need to be constantly nurtured and strengthened".
He also stressed the dire need for parliament to work with executive "in a constructive manner while giving its critical support and keeping an effective surveillance over its activities".
The Speaker, while delivering the keynote address on, said parliamentary surveillance on behalf of the people was meant as "an effective medium" to ensure an efficient management of the state. "We are witness to several instances when parliamentary criticism has forced the government to modify or desist from wrong or unpopular policy measures," he said.
However, Joshi cautioned that the relationship between the two should not remain critical and adversarial.
"The executive must enjoy all the freedom it needs, remaining at the same time responsive to parliamentary influence and direction and ultimately to the aspirations of the people at large," he said.
On the other hand, Parliament must work with the executive in a constructive manner while giving its critical support and keeping an effective surveillance over its activities, Joshi added. Bureau Report
In a world torn by conflicts, clash of interests, social tensions and economic disparities, "Democratic functioning provides the only effective solution", he said, adding that democracy was the "best known mechanism" to ensure social harmony and achieve lasting economic development. Joshi said there was no alternative to a situation where democracy has failed. "Therefore, to foster the spirit of democracy, all four well-known pillars -- executive, legislature, judiciary and the media -- need to be constantly nurtured and strengthened".
He also stressed the dire need for parliament to work with executive "in a constructive manner while giving its critical support and keeping an effective surveillance over its activities".
The Speaker, while delivering the keynote address on, said parliamentary surveillance on behalf of the people was meant as "an effective medium" to ensure an efficient management of the state. "We are witness to several instances when parliamentary criticism has forced the government to modify or desist from wrong or unpopular policy measures," he said.
However, Joshi cautioned that the relationship between the two should not remain critical and adversarial.
"The executive must enjoy all the freedom it needs, remaining at the same time responsive to parliamentary influence and direction and ultimately to the aspirations of the people at large," he said.
On the other hand, Parliament must work with the executive in a constructive manner while giving its critical support and keeping an effective surveillance over its activities, Joshi added. Bureau Report