Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced full Central funding to digitise the West Bengal Assembly under the National e-Vidhan initiative, while addressing an orientation programme for newly elected MLAs in Kolkata.
Centre Announces Full Support for Digital Transformation of West Bengal Assembly
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has announced that the West Bengal Legislative Assembly will undergo a complete digital transformation under the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) initiative, with the Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs providing 100% financial assistance for the project.
Speaking at an orientation programme for newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Kolkata, Rijiju said the initiative aims to modernise legislative functioning by making proceedings and official documents digitally accessible. He added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed to implement the project.
Orientation Programme Held for Newly Elected MLAs
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister highlighted the importance of orientation programmes for first-time legislators, saying they help newly elected representatives understand parliamentary procedures, legislative responsibilities, and the functioning of the Assembly.
Rijiju said the West Bengal Assembly holds a distinguished place in India’s democratic history and expressed hope that it would continue to be a platform for meaningful debates, informed discussions, and effective lawmaking that benefits the people of the state.
He noted that strengthening the knowledge and skills of legislators is essential for improving the quality of governance and ensuring productive legislative sessions.
National e-Vidhan Initiative to Modernise Legislative Work
The Union Minister said the Assembly’s digitisation will be carried out under the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), part of the broader ‘One Nation, One Application’ initiative aimed at modernising legislatures across the country.
Once implemented, the digital platform will enable MLAs to access legislative documents, bills, notices, committee reports, questions, and Assembly proceedings electronically through a unified system.
According to Rijiju, the transition will eliminate the need for legislators to search through large volumes of physical documents, allowing them to retrieve information quickly and efficiently with a single click.
The initiative is also expected to reduce paper usage, improve administrative efficiency, and streamline legislative processes.
Centre to Provide Full Financial Grant
Highlighting the Centre’s commitment to legislative modernisation, Rijiju said the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs will bear the full cost of digitising the West Bengal Assembly.
The financial support is intended to help establish the necessary digital infrastructure, software systems, and technological resources required for implementing the NeVA platform.
The Minister stated that the project reflects the Centre’s broader objective of promoting transparent, efficient, and technology-driven governance across legislative institutions in India.
Digital Legislature Expected to Improve Governance
The digitisation of legislative assemblies has been promoted as a means to improve accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in parliamentary functioning.
With digital records readily available, legislators are expected to spend less time locating information and more time focusing on debates, policymaking, and constituency-related issues.
Supporters of the initiative believe technology can simplify legislative work, improve record management, and enhance public access to parliamentary information over the long term.
Why This Matters
The National e-Vidhan Application is designed to create paperless and digitally connected legislatures across India. By adopting modern digital systems, state assemblies can improve operational efficiency while making legislative information more accessible to elected representatives.
For newly elected MLAs, digital access to Assembly records and proceedings can help improve legislative participation and informed decision-making.
Conclusion
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to modernising legislative institutions by announcing full financial support for the digitisation of the West Bengal Assembly under the National e-Vidhan initiative. Addressing newly elected MLAs in Kolkata, he emphasised the importance of legislative training, meaningful debate, and technology-driven governance. Once implemented, the project is expected to transform the Assembly into a fully digital legislature, making parliamentary work more efficient, transparent, and accessible.
Key Takeaways
- Kiren Rijiju addressed an orientation programme for newly elected MLAs in Kolkata.
- The Centre will fully fund the digitisation of the West Bengal Assembly.
- The project will be implemented under the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA).
- An MoU has already been signed for the digital transformation initiative.
- The platform aims to improve legislative efficiency and provide easy digital access to Assembly records.
FAQs
What announcement did Kiren Rijiju make?
He announced that the Centre will provide full financial assistance to digitise the West Bengal Assembly under the National e-Vidhan initiative.
What is the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)?
It is a digital platform designed to modernise legislative assemblies by enabling paperless functioning and electronic access to legislative information.
Why was the orientation programme organised?
The programme was held to familiarise newly elected MLAs with legislative procedures, responsibilities, and Assembly functioning.
How will digitisation benefit MLAs?
Legislators will be able to access bills, proceedings, notices, and other official documents digitally through a unified platform.
Who will fund the project?
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs will provide 100% financial support for the digitisation initiative.
Category: West Bengal | Politics | Governance | Digital India
