Reforming Protocol: Rethinking Presidential and Gubernatorial Addresses to legislature at the commencement of the first Session of the House every year

 

 Reforming Protocol: Rethinking Presidential and Gubernatorial Addresses to legislature at the commencement of the first Session of the House every year

  The traditional practice of Presidents and Governors delivering addresses to the legislature at the onset of first legislative session every year is, in essence, a ceremonial relic, steeped in antiquated British customs and devoid of substantive meaning. These scripted speeches, crafted by respective government bodies, serve as little more than platforms for political rhetoric, casting the heads of state as mere mouthpieces for the prevailing regime.

For the President, constrained by the content provided by the Central Government, the act of delivering a speech often entails the unenviable task of critiquing the opposition and preceding administrations. Similarly, Governors find themselves obliged to criticize not only opposition parties but also, in states governed by opposing parties, the central authority itself. Compounding this predicament is the fact that Governors owe their appointments to the Central Government, rendering their positions inherently political.

Former President R. Venkataraman, in his memoirs "My Presidential Years," candidly acknowledges the futility of this practice and proposes constitutional reforms to rectify its shortcomings. His suggestion resonates with the need for a more substantive and dignified approach to governmental communication.

A viable solution emerges: transferring the responsibility of presenting government policies and programs to the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers, respectively. By affording the President and the Governors the opportunity to address the Parliament and Assembly directly, preceding the Prime Minister's and Chief Minister's addresses, we uphold the dignity of these offices and mitigate the potential embarrassment faced by the heads of state and government.

In this proposed paradigm, the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers assume a more direct and accountable role in articulating the vision and agenda of their administrations. This shift not only modernizes our ceremonial protocols but also fosters a more transparent and accountable system of governance.

It is imperative that we reevaluate the ceremonial practices surrounding Presidential and gubernatorial addresses. By empowering the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers to communicate directly with the legislature, we uphold the integrity of our democratic institutions while ensuring that our leaders are not unduly burdened by the constraints of outdated protocol.