Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan took a significant step towards digitalization by launching a searchable engine for accessing Punjab Legislative Assembly debates.
The launch event 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.
Speaker Sandhwan highlighted that this engine would enable easy research on any topic from Punjab Vidhan Sabha debates dating back to 1947. He acknowledged the collaboration of Punjabi University Patiala, IIIT Hyderabad, and CDAC Noida in developing the system.
He also credited Dr. Gurpreet Lehal, Professor and Consultant at IIIT Hyderabad, and his team for their dedication to completing the project.
With this initiative, Punjab Vidhan Sabha has become the first among state assemblies in India to implement such a digital solution. To enhance its effectiveness, regular training sessions will be organized for MLAs and other departments.
Sandhwan emphasized the Punjab government’s commitment to modernizing the Vidhan Sabha, making it high-tech under the Aam Aadmi Party's leadership. He pointed out that assembly sessions are now conducted paperless through the NeVA portal.
Additionally, for the first time, all Punjab Vidhan Sabha sessions are broadcast live on YouTube and other social media platforms. An automation system is also being integrated into the assembly library, while committee rooms and various branches of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha have undergone digitization.
He further stated that Punjab government software, including e-Office and HRMS, has been fully implemented in the Vidhan Sabha. Efforts to further digitalize operations will continue.
During the event, Speaker Sandhwan reviewed the e-gallery pass system, paperless internal functioning of House Committees, and Constituency e-Management developed under MLAs e-Connect by NIC Punjab Unit. He also inaugurated a digital compendium of honorable members.
The launch was attended by key officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Pratap, Secretary Expenditure Vijay Namdeorao Zade, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs Dilraj Singh, Director of Governance Reforms Girish Dayalan, Chief Engineer Vijay Kumar Chopra, NIXI representative Manoj Aggarwal, and NIC State Informatics Officer Vivek Verma, along with other officials from Punjab and Chandigarh administration.