Haryana Governor, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that law is the backbone of democracy, but its true strength lies in how clearly and effectively it is drafted. Legislative drafting is not merely about putting words on paper; it is about bringing justice to life, strengthening governance, and protecting citizens’ rights.
A well-drafted law ensures clarity, consistency, and fairness, said the Governor while addressing as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of a two-day training programme on legislative drafting and capacity building, organized by the Haryana Legislative Assembly in collaboration with the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, Lok Sabha, at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Sector 26, Chandigarh on Saturday.
He said that legislative drafting is also a democratic responsibility. An elected representative (MLA) represents the will of the people, while the officers and staff involved in drafting legislation play a crucial role. Therefore, they must be skilled and proficient to ensure that the law serves as a bridge between political vision and practical governance.
Their role requires not only legal expertise but also ethical sensitivity, ensuring that the language of the law embodies justice, equality, and constitutional values, said Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh.The Governor emphasized that no matter how noble a policy’s objective is, its effectiveness depends on the law that implements it. Legislative drafting determines whether a policy promise will translate into real change on the ground, he said.
Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh further said that as a welfare state, its laws should also be designed for the well-being of people. For better legislative drafting, officers and staff must be proficient not only in language and law but also in economics, sociology, technology, and human behavior. Improving drafting quality in any country requires continuous training, study across disciplines, and adopting best practices, he said.
The Governor said that as we aspire to a society governed by justice and fairness, we must also invest in the art of drafting. The quality of our laws reflects the quality of our democracy. Clear drafting ensures clear justice, and clear justice builds a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive nation, he said.
*Drafting Legislation is the Highest Service to Democracy – Harvinder Kalyan*
In his address, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan said that legislative drafting is the soul of law and the highest service to democracy. Any position or power a person holds is useful to people because of knowledge, he said.
He said it is the vision of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and the initiative of Home Minister, Sh. Amit Shah to form a team of experienced and knowledgeable people for legislative drafting, enabling them to contribute to law-making in simple language for public welfare.
He apprised the Governor that Haryana Vidhan Sabha is the first in the country to organize a two-day training workshop on legislative drafting for its Secretariat and other departmental officers and staff.Sh. Harvinder Kalyan added that Lok Sabha Speaker, Sh. Om Birla officially inaugurated the training programme.
Since the formation of Haryana’s 15th Assembly, Om Birla has visited the Assembly four times in the past year – first for orientation of MLAs, second for training of Secretariat staff and officers, third for a programme for mayors of all urban local bodies in Manesar, Gurugram, and fourth for this legislative drafting programme, delivering inspiring addresses at each event.
*Legislative Drafting Training Useful for Preparing Laws for the Common People – Prof. Ram Shinde*
Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman, Prof. Ram Shinde stated that legislative drafting training is a very important programme, whose language and style are useful for preparing laws for the common people and guiding society in new directions.
He said that good laws strengthen both the legislature and the executive. Legislative drafting is not only a policy process but is also called an art and science. The language of skilled personnel involved in drafting should be clear, precise, and simple, said Prof. Ram Shinde.
He emphasized that any law should be evaluated based on how much it benefits the public. A good law reflects the welfare of society. He also suggested that legislators should be trained in legislative drafting to contribute more effectively to law-making. Law is a powerful medium for social reform.
*Legislative Drafting should be Based on Public Service – Dr. Krishan Lal Middha*
Deputy Speaker Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Dr. Krishan Lal Middha said that legislative training will provide officers and staff not only knowledge and skill but also the confidence to adopt new ideas. He added that legislative drafting should uphold ethical values and transparency, rooted in public service.