Lucknow, Jan. 22 -- The 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference that concluded here on Wednesday has given a call "to create a consensus among all political parties" to increase the number of sittings of state legislative bodies to a minimum of 30 in a year to constructively utilise the time and resources for legislative business, strengthen parliamentary functioning and democratic accountability. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, who was speaking to the media after the conclusion of the conference, said all the states have agreed with the resolution to make efforts to have at least 30 sittings in a year. This issue was reflected in one of the six resolutions adopted at the conference. A resolution to hold 60 sittings was adopted earlier too, he said. "Efforts would be made to create an atmosphere to hold a minimum number of 30 sittings. Such a resolution, however, may not be binding," he said. On the first day of the conference on Monday, Birla, UP governor Anandiben Patel and Leader of Opposition in UP Vidhan Sabha Mata Prasad Pandey had expressed concern over shortening legislature sessions and suggested sessions longer enough to enable legislators to raise and debate issues. Birla also said delegates from 36 presiding officers participated in the conference, adding that only the presiding officers from Manipur (under President's rule) and the states approaching assembly elections could not attend the conference. According to the resolution no. 2 adopted at the conference, increasing the number of sittings would help curb legislative pendency, improve the quality of discussions, enhance the role of elected representatives and reinforce public trust in democratic institutions. "We, presiding officers, resolve to create consensus among all political parties to increase the number of sittings of our state legislative bodies to a minimum thirty (30) sittings in a year and to constructively utilise the time and resources for legislative business so that our democratic institutions are more accountable to the people," the resolution said. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has welcomed this resolution, assuring his government's full cooperation. "The state legislature sessions must last for at least 30 days in a year. I welcome the resolution in this regard and assured full cooperation," he said in his valedictory address....