PM Narendra Modi Heaps Praise on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Says ‘You Were Ever-Smiling and Your Smile Never Faded’ (Watch Video)

New Delhi, February 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday over the manner in which he ran the House for five years and for the initiatives taken and said his smile never faded. "You were ever-smiling. Your smile never faded. You guided this House in a balanced and impartial manner in several instances, for this, I appreciate you. There were moments of anger, allegations but you controlled the situation patiently and ran the House and guided us. I express my gratitude to you for this," the Prime Minister said in his remarks on the last day of the 17th Lok Sabha.

"I am grateful to the Chair for introducing the use of technology for conducting 'Paperless Parliament.' It's your expertise and the willingness of respected members that have resulted in 97 per cent productivity during the 17th Lok Sabha," he added. PM Narendra Modi Lauds MPs for Taking 30% Pay Cut During COVID-19, Says 17th Lok Sabha Saw 97% Productivity (Watch Video).

PM Modi Heaps Praise on Lok Sabha Speaker

The Prime Minister said that the Speaker opened the doors of Parliament library for common people. "Opening this bank of knowledge, this repository of traditions to common people is a big service. I express my gratitude for this," PM Modi in Lok Sabha: These Five Years Were About Reform, Perform and Transform in Country, Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Last Day of Budget Session (Watch Videos).

The Prime Minister said everyone used to discuss that there should be a new building of the Parliament but no decision used to be taken. "It was your (Lok Sabha Speaker) leadership that decided this, too matters forward, held meetings with the government and as a result, the country received this new Parliament building," the Prime Minister said.