The fourth and monsoon session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly commenced on Thursday with a solemn start.
Speaker Surama Padhy arrived at the Assembly at 11 AM, where she was greeted by the state armed police band. The session began with the singing of the national anthem inside the House.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi moved a condolence motion, paying tribute to several departed former members and public servants. Among those remembered were former ministers Rajendra Dholakia, former Deputy Speaker and Union Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj, and ex-MLAs Prasanna Pattnaik, Karendra Majhi, Niranjan Hembram, Prafulla Bhanja, and Mohammad Rafique. Tributes were also paid to deceased members of the Odisha Police and IR Battalion.
The Speaker was requested to convey the House’s condolences to the bereaved families. Supporting the motion, Leader of Opposition Prasanna Acharya and Congress Legislature Party Leader Ramchandra Kadam expressed their sympathies and read out messages of condolence.
Speaker Surama Padhy also joined in the tribute, recalling the good deeds and public service of the departed members. She assured that the House’s condolences would be formally communicated to the families.
Following the obituary reference, the Speaker adjourned the House till 10:30 am tomorrow.
