Kolkata: The West Bengal Legislative Assembly is set to undergo a major digital transformation, with a newly signed tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paving the way for the House to function as a fully paperless 'e-assembly'. The initiative will bring all legislative business, including bills, notices, and committee reports, onto a single cloud-based platform, streamlining assembly operations and significantly reducing dependence on paper.
Implementation Through NeVA
The project will be implemented through the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), a project under the Centre's Digital India initiative. With the signing of the agreement, Bengal has become the 33rd legislature in the country to join the NeVA platform. Following the upcoming budget session, all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will undergo training to familiarize themselves with the digital system. Every legislator will also be provided with a tablet to securely access assembly documents.
Benefits and Transparency
"Not only will a massive amount of paper be saved and costs cut down, but citizens will also gain seamless transparency," stated Speaker Rathindra Bose. The digital shift is expected to enhance efficiency and accessibility of legislative proceedings.
Agreement Formalization
The agreement was formalized during a virtual event attended by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and state functionaries. Joining via video conference, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the transition, emphasizing the state's commitment to digital governance.
