Assam Assembly Speaker Launches Orientation Program for New Legislators
Orientation Program for Newly Elected MLAs
Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Dass addressing the legislators at the launch of the orientation programme, on Saturday. (AT Photo)
Guwahati, July 4: On Saturday, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, inaugurated a two-day orientation program aimed at newly elected members of the House at Gopinath Bordoloi Bhawan within the Assembly complex.
This orientation initiative, spanning two days, is specifically designed for the members of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly, focusing particularly on first-time MLAs. The program encompasses various topics such as the Assembly's rules and procedures, legislative processes, participation in debates, and how to raise questions during sessions.
The timing of this program is particularly crucial as the Budget Session of the newly formed government is scheduled to commence on July 6.
During his address, Dass emphasized that this orientation would equip newly elected legislators with a deeper understanding of the Assembly's operations, thereby enhancing their effectiveness as public representatives and helping them meet the expectations of their constituents.
He reminisced about a similar program held when he first took office as Speaker in 2016 and expressed his commitment to continuing this initiative. He encouraged all MLAs to participate in the two-day sessions and take advantage of the expertise being shared by invited specialists.
Assembly Secretary Rajiv Bhattacharyya welcomed the attendees, while Pijush Hazarika and Dilip Saikia discussed parliamentary traditions, legislative processes, and the roles and responsibilities of elected officials.
The inaugural session saw participation from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika, Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia, and State Minister Nandita Gorlosa.
Eight resource persons, including former Deputy Speaker Dr. Numal Momin, Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap from Nagaland University, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. J.B. Ekka, retired professor Gautam Majumdar, environmentalist Rituraj Phukan, Finance Department Secretary Dilip Bora, Dr. Jaydeep Baruah from Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University, and senior journalist Bhupendra Nath Bhattacharyya, will conduct the sessions.
These experts will cover a range of topics, including Assembly procedures, the role of MLAs, governance, leadership, social welfare initiatives, environmental concerns, the state economy, the Budget, and media relations.