Bhubaneswar, Aug. 30 -- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday emphasised that parliamentary committees must function beyond party lines and focus on the welfare of society, particularly the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

Speaking at the concluding session of the National Conference of the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary and State Legislative Committees on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes held in Bhubaneswar, Birla said that the committees are designed to represent members from all political parties, ensuring that diverse opinions are respected and included in decision-making.

"Our effort has always been that the parliamentary committees rise above party lines and work extensively in the interest of soc...