Bhubaneswar: A two-day orientation-cum-training programme for newly-elected MLAs to the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly was inaugurated here today. The two-day knowledge reform program will be chaired by Speaker Surama Padhy.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo & Pravati Parida, members of the Council of Ministers along with BJP MLAs were present in the inaugural of the orientation-cum-training programme.
According to the schedule, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, former minister & BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain, and former minister Prafulla Ghadai have one-on-one sessions with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister on Saturday.
However, the opposition BJD and Congress have boycotted the programme. Neither, LoP Naveen Patnaik nor any other BJD leaders were in attendance. Also, Congress MLAs abstained from joining.
The orientation-cum-training programme for first-time legislators began with BJP MLAs only, in which the senior legislators have shared their experience. The new MLAs were informed about the assembly rules and proceedings and imparted the mantra for good performance in assembly.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Karen Rijiju shared key tips to the new MLAs for disciplined behaviour in the Assembly. He said, “Don’t be a two-minute headline by making a fuss…Research for a long term and long career, be disciplined, work hard and maintain the decorum of the House. “To become a good MLA or MP, you should keep learning throughout your life,” said the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
On the sidelines, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling said,” In this orientation-cum-training programme, insights are being imparted to deepen the lawmakers’ understanding of their constitutional roles and acquaint them with the operational mechanisms, parliamentary traditions, conventions, and etiquette. Another goal is to instruct the MLAs on proper conduct as members of the ruling party, both within the Assembly and in public. All MLAs will acquaint themselves with the new legislation being passed in Parliament to ensure effective participation in legislative affairs when these issues are presented for legislation.”
On being asked about the Opposition BJD and Congress not joining the programme, Minister Mahaling said, “The Speaker is chairing the meeting and the Chief Minister inaugurated the event in the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.. There is no politics in this…Everything is going according to the rules of the assembly… The opposition is making an issue out of a non-issue for their political gains.”
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