Chandigarh, 11 March (Desk)
In a groundbreaking move towards digital transformation, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan unveiled a searchable engine to access the proceedings and debates of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 1947 to the present. This initiative makes Punjab the first state in India to introduce such a facility, enabling easier research and fact-finding from historical legislative debates.
The launch event, held in Chandigarh on March 11, 2025, was attended by Good Governance and IT Minister Aman Arora, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh, and MLA Gurinder Singh Garry Birring.
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A Leap in Digitalization
Speaker Sandhwan highlighted that the searchable engine, developed in collaboration with Punjabi University Patiala, IIIT Hyderabad, and CDAC Noida, will revolutionize access to legislative records. Dr. Gurpreet Lehal, Professor and Consultant at IIIT Hyderabad, and his team played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition.
Sandhwan emphasized that this initiative positions Punjab Vidhan Sabha as a leader in digital innovation among state legislatures in India. He added that the project is part of the Aam Aadmi Party Government’s broader efforts to modernize and digitize the functioning of the Vidhan Sabha.
Key Features and Benefits
- Historical Access: Researchers, students, and the public can now easily access and search debates and proceedings from 1947 onwards.
- Paperless Sessions: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha has already transitioned to paperless operations through the Neva portal.
- Live Broadcasting: All sessions are broadcast live on YouTube and the Punjab Government’s social media channels, ensuring transparency and public engagement.
- Library Automation: The Vidhan Sabha library is being automated to streamline access to resources.
- Digitized Committees: Committee rooms and branches of the Vidhan Sabha have been fully digitized.
Commitment to Digital Governance
Sandhwan reiterated the government’s commitment to digitalization, noting that software like e-Office and HRMS has been fully implemented in the Vidhan Sabha. He also announced plans for regular training sessions for MLAs and staff to ensure seamless adoption of these digital tools.
On the occasion, the Speaker also reviewed the e-gallery pass system, paperless functioning of House Committees, and the Constituency e-Management system developed under the MLAs e-Connect initiative by NIC Punjab. Additionally, he inaugurated a digital compendium of honorable members, further enhancing accessibility to legislative information.
Dignitaries Present
The event was attended by prominent officials, including Vikas Pratap (Additional Chief Secretary), Vijay Namdeorao Zade (Secretary Expenditure), Dilraj Singh (Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs), Girish Dayalan (Director, Governance Reforms), Vijay Kumar Chopra (Chief Engineer), Manoj Aggarwal (NIXI, New Delhi), and Vivek Verma (State Informatics Officer, NIC), among others.
This landmark initiative underscores Punjab’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and innovation in governance, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.
