Legislative Drafting Training Program Concluding Ceremony Was Held at Gujarat Legislative Assembly

Gandhinagar : The concluding ceremony of the ‘Legislative Drafting Training Program’ was held at the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, chaired by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. The event was attended by Assembly Speaker Shri Shankar Chaudhary and Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel.

During the ceremony, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah commended the Gujarat government’s initiative, stating that legislative drafting is a vital skill. He praised the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for organizing training on legislative drafting for the first time in the country, saying that this art is the most fundamental and critical step in the law-making process. He noted that poor legislative drafting can result in numerous complex issues and heightened judicial intervention. Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah emphasized that legislative drafting is a distinctive art that refines laws and their objectives. He noted that the Constitution of India, created under the guidance and dedication of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, serves as the finest example of this art. The drafting process included over 1,600 open discussions with the public, numerous key debates, and committee meetings. Additionally, deliberations on the Constitution took place in the House for approximately 165 days, featuring significant contributions from eminent dignitaries like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Hansa Mehta, who offered critical insights and recommendations.

Sharing his insights on essential aspects of lawmaking, he emphasized the importance of clarity in the drafting process. He noted that a clear articulation of the law’s objectives, conveyed in simple language, minimizes the need for judicial intervention. The provisions of a law must be unambiguous, providing protection for enforcers and penalties for violators. He also urged that feedback from experts, relevant officials, and citizens be seriously considered during the drafting process. Addressing the MLAs, the Union Minister stated that the primary role of the Assembly is to pass bills and create laws that serve and protect the interests of citizens. He urged all members to thoroughly understand the language of the law and actively participate in discussions to identify and address any shortcomings while presenting their suggestions accordingly.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah stated that India has embraced a multi-party parliamentary democracy, where various issues faced by the people are brought to the government’s attention by legislators from different political parties. In response, the government addresses these concerns sensitively by framing appropriate laws. He further noted that significant reforms have been made in India’s justice system through amendments to sections of the IPC, CrPC, and the Evidence Act, which have been in place since the British era. Once this new justice system is fully implemented, citizens will experience swifter justice, marking one of the most significant reforms in India.

The Union Minister also emphasized that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global center of aspirations, with Gujarat as its focal point. He remarked that the esteemed House of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly serves as a testament to the unwavering journey of development and the commitments made by Shri Narendra Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister to promote the growth of Gujarat. Reflecting on his tenure as Gujarat’s Home Minister and MLA from 1997 to 2017, Shri Amit Shah recalled both the memorable and challenging moments. He noted that it was in this very Assembly that then-Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi pledged to provide 24-hour electricity to the people of Gujarat. With the launch of the Jyotigram Yojana in 2003, Gujarat became the first state in the country to supply 24-hour, three-phase electricity to every citizen.

He further emphasized that under Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, several transformative initiatives—such as the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, Gujarat’s health model, Shala Praveshotsav, and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav—were successfully implemented in this very Assembly. Additionally, Shri Narendra Modi’s effective restructuring of several loss-making public enterprises in Gujarat transformed them into profit-generating entities. Significant decisions, including the Dharma Swatantrya Vidheyak, the Gujarat Control of Organized Crime Act (GUJCOC), the water conservation mission, and the Gujarat Industrial Policy, have all contributed to Gujarat becoming a role model for other states across the country.

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shri Shankar Chaudhary

In his welcome address at the Gujarat Legislative Drafting Training Program, Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shri Shankar Chaudhary stated that it would be an honour to receive guidance from Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on the concluding day of the program. He noted that during the British era, legal language was complex and difficult for the common people to understand. However, in today’s democratic system, the language of law should be simple and accessible to the public. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a legislative drafting training institute has been established in Parliament, with guidance from Shri Amit Shah. Laws are created for the welfare of the people, and any errors in drafting can lead to increased hardships for the public. Therefore, ensuring error-free drafting is essential, as lawmakers take the responsibility of presenting and shaping laws for the people. He expressed gratitude for the guidance provided by Shri Amit Shah, which will be invaluable for legislators in drafting laws that serve the public interest.

He further noted that Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel has taken a positive approach toward making the Assembly paperless to enhance public welfare and improve policy formulation. In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) will also be utilized. Following discussions on budget demands, instructions have been issued to promptly address legislators’ questions and submissions through the relevant secretaries. He emphasized the importance of proactive involvement from elected representatives in the law-making process, stating that by adopting a proactive governance approach, legislators could play a crucial role in strengthening democracy. Many citizen-oriented laws have been drafted in the Gujarat Assembly under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Shri Amit Shah, and these efforts are now contributing to legal reforms across the country. He concluded by urging everyone to work diligently to further strengthen democracy.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel firmly stated that preparedness among officials involved in the law-making process is essential for effective governance under the rule of law. In this context, he emphasized that well-trained officials engaged in the drafting process will help create clear and straightforward laws and regulations. He congratulated Assembly Speaker Shri Shankar Chaudhary for initiating this legislative drafting training program in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

He further added that unclear and complex laws lead to confusion and delays in policy implementation. He said that it is the responsibility of the officials, as well as everyone involved, to ensure that the laws being drafted are clear, implementable, and consistent with justice and equality. Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel remarked that the concept of a welfare state in the Indian Constitution places citizens at the heart of governance. He also highlighted the constitutional provisions for constitutional remedies, which facilitate timely amendments to the Constitution and laws, ensuring that they remain flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.

The Chief Minister elaborated on one of the ‘Panch Pran’ (five resolves) introduced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the nation’s Amrit Kaal, which emphasizes the importance of freeing the country from a mentality of servitude. He explained how Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has eliminated outdated colonial-era laws and replaced them with three new criminal laws. He expressed confidence that these new laws and the reformed criminal justice system based on them will prove to be the most significant reforms of this century. He further added that the Legislative Drafting Training Program will be instrumental in shaping laws that are more aligned with public welfare.

Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Rushikesh Patel, during the concluding ceremony, expressed gratitude to the esteemed guests, dignitaries, and organizers present at the event. He affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to creating flawless laws in the future as a result of this training. Key legislative proposals presented by Shri Amit Shah during his tenure as Home Minister of Gujarat, under then-Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, were showcased using audio-visual presentations. The legislative drafting training program held in the Assembly was attended by state cabinet members, MPs, MLAs, former Assembly Speakers, former Chief Ministers, former Deputy Chief Ministers, former ministers, former MPs, former MLAs, as well as guests, editors and journalists from various newspapers and channels, senior bureaucrats, and law students.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat