In a landmark announcement, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Wednesday unveiled the ‘Best MLA of the Year’ award during the valedictory session of the Orientation Programme for Newly Elected Members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

This prestigious annual award aims to recognise and encourage exemplary legislative performance, with criteria including excellence in parliamentary debate, attendance record, and decorum maintained in the House. On this occasion, Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bist, was also present.

The practice of “Best MLA of the Year” was discontinued by the AAP when they came to power. Speaking on the occasion, Gupta stated, “This award will serve as a motivation for legislators to uphold the highest standards of parliamentary conduct and actively contribute to meaningful legislative discourse. It is a step towards making the Delhi Legislative Assembly a ‘Model Assembly’ that sets new benchmarks in democratic governance.” 

The Speaker also presented mementos to the legislators.

The two-day Orientation Programme, conducted by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), equipped newly elected members with crucial parliamentary knowledge.

The meticulously designed sessions covered constitutional provisions, rules of procedure, question hour protocols, legislative motions, and policy-making frameworks. Expert-led lectures, discussions, and interactive sessions provided valuable insights into good governance and legislative drafting.

Expressing satisfaction over the programme’s success, Gupta emphasised the Assembly’s commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of its legislators. “These comprehensive training sessions play a crucial role in empowering our MLAs with the knowledge and skills required to serve the people effectively,” he added.