Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday (August 29, 2025) expressed concern over the lack of meaningful discussions in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies.

Speaking at the two-day National Conference of Scheduled Castes and Tribes Welfare Committees of Parliament and State and Union Territory Legislatures, which began on Friday, Mr. Birla said there was widespread concern over the language used and the conduct that should ideally guide such deliberations.

“In parliamentary committees, the language, thoughts, and viewpoints of the members are always above party politics,” Mr. Birla said. He urged lawmakers to rise above party lines on issues of national interest.

“If we want to take the country forward, we must improve the social and economic conditions of Dalits, tribals, and other marginalized sections. To build an equity-based nation, we must ensure that their rights are upheld in line with their needs,” he pointed out.

It is for the first time that the conference is being organised outside Delhi. The first conference of Chairpersons of Committees on the Welfare of SCs and STs was held in 1976 in New Delhi. Subsequent conferences took place in 1979, 1983, 1987, and 2001.

Speaking on the occasion, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi said 40% of the State’s population belonged to Dalit and tribal communities, and various schemes were being implemented for their development.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram spoke about the PM Janman and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh schemes, which he said would directly benefit five crore tribals.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Speaker Surama Padhi were also present.