Patna, Feb 19 (IANS): Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday said it was a "crucial responsibility" of the parliamentarians to ensure responsible, inclusive, participatory and transparent administration for development.

Speaking at the conclusion of the 6th Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's (CPA) India Region, Mahajan emphasised on focusing on knowledge-building and institutionalisation of best parliamentary rules, practices, and procedures in a way to "facilitate engagement of lawmakers with developmental agenda at the regional, national, and sub-national levels" to maximise public welfare.

Mahajan also shared with the delegates various activities undertaken by the Speaker's Research Initiative (SRI), started in 2015, such as workshops and seminars for members of Parliament.

Under the SRI, domain experts, civil society members and academicians interact with the parliamentarians on various topics.

The conference was inaugurated by Mahajan on Saturday.

Mahajan said such conferences facilitate sharing of best practices as well as build networks with presiding officers.