Bhubaneswar: The monsoon session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly commenced today with a solemn ceremony dedicated to honoring departed former members and public servants.
Speaker Shrimati Surama Padhy, who arrived at the Assembly at 11 a.m. to a welcome from the state armed police band, led the proceedings. The session began with the singing of the national anthem inside the House.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi initiated a condolence motion, paying tribute to several notable figures. The list of the departed included former ministers such as Rajendra Dholakia and Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj, who also served as former Deputy Speaker and Union Minister. Tributes were also extended to former MLAs Prasanna Pattnaik, Karendra Majhi, Niranjan Hembram, Prafulla Bhanja, and Mohammad Rafique, as well as to deceased members of the Odisha Police and IR Battalion.
Following the Chief Minister’s motion, Deputy Leader of Opposition Prasanna Acharya and Congress Legislature Party Leader Ramchandra Kadam both offered their support, expressing their condolences and reading out messages of sympathy.
Speaker Smt.Padhy joined in the tributes, reflecting on the contributions and public service of the deceased. She assured the House that the formal condolences would be conveyed to the bereaved families.
After the obituary references, the Speaker adjourned the House until 10:30 AM on 19 September.