BUREAU OF PARLIAMENTARY STUDIES AND TRAINING
Established in 1976 as an integral Division of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training (BPST) is the premier training body providing opportunities for systematic study and training in various disciplines of parliamentary institutions, processes and procedures to the Legislators and officials.
Ever since its inception, BPST has successfully embarked upon various programmes of training in Parliamentary and Legislative fields, thus imparting professionalism, expertise and orientation to those who actually work for the parliamentary system.
The Bureau’s activities include holding of Orientation Programmes and Seminars for Members of Parliament and State Legislatures, Training and Refresher courses for officers of the Secretariats of Parliament and State Legislatures, Appreciation Courses for Senior and Middle Level Officers of the Government of India including Defence Services and Public Sector Undertakings and probationers of All India and Central Services.
The Bureau also conducts two international training programmes for foreign parliamentary officials viz. ‘Parliamentary Internship Programme’ and ‘International Training Programme in Legislative Drafting’.
n addition, the Bureau organises short study visits for the members of foreign/State Legislatures, government officials, scholars, students and others. It also conducts regular attachment programmes for parliamentarians and parliamentary/government officials of foreign countries with the Indian Parliament.
Housed in the state-of-art Parliament Library Building, the Bureau is equipped with modern infrastructure and latest training equipments. The Bureau has its own web site at <http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/bpst/bpst.htm> The Bureau functions under the overall control and supervision of Secretary-General, Lok Sabha.
Orientation Programmes for Members of Parliament/ State Legislatures
With a view to familiarising the newly elected Members of Parliament and State Legislatures with the intricacies of the Parliamentary Practices and Procedures, the Bureau organises Orientation Programmes. Each Programme is of two to three day’s duration. These Programmes aim at promoting a deeper appreciation of the constitutional role and position of the Parliament and the State Legislatures as representative institutions, familiarising the Members more closely with the parliamentary traditions and etiquette and help them in making the best and most effective use of the precious time for more informed and fruitful discussions.
Eminent parliamentarians, including Cabinet Ministers, seasoned parliamentary officials and other experts are invited to hold discussions on various aspects of parliamentary practice and procedure.
Seminars and workshops for Members of Parliament/ State Legislatures
To enable the elected representatives to make optimum use of the time at their disposal, the Bureau organises seminars and specialised workshops on various topics of parliamentary and current importance. Seminars on topics of political, economic and social developments are organised to help the legislators acquire deeper and broader understanding of complex national and global issues.
Computer Awareness Programmes
The Bureau also organises computer awareness programmes for Members of Parliament to assist them in discharging effectively their duties such as constituency management functions, office automation activities and personal information management, etc. Computer awareness programmes are also organised for officials of Lok Sabha as well as the personal staff of the Members.
Programmes for Foreign Parliamentarians
Customised Attachment Programmes and Study Visits for Presiding Officers, parliamentarians and parliamentary officials from abroad are organised by the Bureau on request. The programmes are ad hoc in nature and are specially tailor made to suit the special requirements of the visiting dignitaries enabling them to have a first-hand knowledge of the working of parliamentary institutions in India. The Bureau does not charge any fee for organising programmes and making available relevant study material. However, all expenditure in connection with such visits including air-fare, lodging, boarding and local transport are either borne by the participants themselves or by the sponsoring authority.
Training Programmes for Officials of Foreign Parliaments
The Bureau organises every year two International Training programmes i.e. Parliamentary Internship Programme and International Training Programme in Legislative Drafting for the foreign parliamentary/government officials. The participants are drawn from countries covered under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)/Special Commonwealth Africa Assistance Plan (SCAAP) and Colombo Plan. The Programmes are open to others also in case the sponsoring authority or the participants are prepared to meet the expenses on boarding, lodging, travel, etc.
The aim of the Parliamentary Internship Programme is to provide the participants an opportunity to exchange ideas in the context of their own experiences in their legislatures and to make them aware of the environment, tradition, culture and working of the parliamentary institutions in India. This programme is of seven weeks’ duration and is organised during October-November every year.
To assist the legislators of developing countries in drafting Private Members’ Bills, the Bureau organises a nine week long International Training Programme in Legislative Drafting during December-February. The programme is designed to equip the parliamentary officials with the basic concepts, skills and techniques required for drafting legislation.
Courses for Government Officials and Probationers of All India and Central Services
Appreciation Courses in Parliamentary Processes and Procedures of a week’s duration are organised not only for middle and senior level officials of the Government of India but also for the probationers of All India and Central Services.
These Courses provide to the participants the much needed direct exposure to the environment, culture and traditions of parliamentary institutions so as to enable them to appreciate better the nature of their role and place in the overall context of parliamentary system, leading to a more informed response to their work in relation to Parliament.
Courses for Parliamentary and State Legislature Officials
To sharpen the functional skills of the officials working in the Secretariats of Parliament and State Legislatures,foundational courses, refresher courses as well as specialised courses are organised by the Bureau for them.
These courses aim at developing the right attitudes and qualities essential in parliamentary officials, for example, a sense of dedication in service, precision and promptness,objectivity of approach, highest respect for the representatives of the people and unfailing courtesy.
Study Visits
The Bureau organises short study visits for officers of Government and Legislature Secretariats, as well as scholars and students both from India and abroad. During such visits, the participants are given the requisite orientation to enable them to understand some notable aspects of parliamentary institutions followed by a visit to Lok SabhaChamber and Rajya Sabha Chamber, Central Hall, or witnessing the proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when the Houses are in session.
Visual Aids
To make the lectures more interesting, the Bureau has prepared video films on subjects of parliamentary interest such as "Parliamentary Questions", "Private Members’ Bills", "Parliamentary Etiquette and Manners", "Financial Committees of Parliament" and "Enriching the Debates in Legislatures". These video films are shown to the Members of Parliament as well as the participants who come to attend the various courses/programmes organised by the Bureau.