Bengal Assembly to Go Digital in Next 100 Days: Speaker; Budget Session to Be Live-Streamed

MP, June 12, 2026, Kolkata : Speaker Rathindranath Basu said on Thursday that the Legislative Assembly would be transformed into a completely paperless “e-Vidhan Sabha” within the next 100 days.

He also declared that all proceedings of the upcoming Budget Session would be live-streamed, marking a significant step towards greater public access to legislative affairs.

The Budget Session of the State Assembly is slated to start from June 18.

Basu, who addressed a press conference at the Assembly after returning from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zone-II Conference in Chandigarh, said that greater public participation in the democratic process will accelerate overall societal development.

“Rights and responsibilities must go hand in hand as we move towards the future,” the Speaker said.

He claimed that the decision regarding live broadcasting of Assembly proceedings has been taken following discussions with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

He also said that the process of digitising the Assembly has already begun on a war footing.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed for the initiative, and West Bengal has become the 33rd state in the country to join the e-Vidhan Sabha programme.

Under the new system, the use of paper in the Assembly’s day-to-day functioning will be completely eliminated.

Legislators will be provided with digital tablets, while citizens will be able to access Assembly debates, questions and proceedings through dedicated mobile applications and online platforms.

The Speaker also announced plans to host a two-day special training workshop after the conclusion of the Budget Session, noting that more than 200 members of the current Assembly are first-time legislators and may have limited experience with parliamentary procedures and legislative practices.

“Veteran Speakers and parliamentary experts from across the country will conduct sessions on legislative procedures, parliamentary conduct and best practices,” he added.

Basu announced that 100 students from a school in Alipurduar would be invited to witness the proceedings of the June 18 session from the visitors’ gallery.

In addition, groups of senior citizens and law students will be given opportunities to observe Assembly proceedings on different days.

Plans are also being drawn up to organise cultural and public engagement programmes within the Assembly premises to strengthen the connection between the legislature and the people.