Meira Kumar, Jaitely to train new MLAs

Raipur, January 31

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitely, deputy leader of opposition in RS Ravi Shankar Prasad and a couple of other senior leaders from BJP and Congress will impart training to newly elected MLAs on the functioning of the legislature at Vidhan Sabha in Chhattisgarh on Saturday and Sunday (February 1 and 2).

During the two-day training programme, the new MLAs will be trained on participation in debates and on process of framing laws. A total number of 52 MLAs will attend the training camp.

According to information, after inaugurating the training prorgamme on Saturday, LS Speaker Meira Kumar will address the MLAs in the first session. She will speak on all subjects of parliamentary affairs.

Kumar’s address will be followed by Jaitley’s interaction with the MLAs during which he will tell how to prepare on different subjects to participate in debates and raise issues of one’s constituency.

On Sunday, Prasad too will give tips to the MLAs on different topics to actively participate in House proceedings. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly Speaker Dr Seetasharan Sharma will talk on legal affairs while BJP MP Vikram Verma will shed light on private members’ resolutions and functioning of House committees.

Among the other speakers, former leader of opposition in State assembly and senior Congress leader Ravindra Choubey will talk on calling attention notices, agriculture and WRD minister Brijmohan Agrawal on Question Hour, former assembly Speaker Premprakash Pandey on budget and State assembly’s principal secretary Devendra Verma will tell about parliamentary privileges.

Terming the training programme essential, the assembly officials said the MLAs gain confidence through such platforms and they learn how to make optimum use of House proceedings by actively participating in all debates, raising local and State-level issues and exploring solutions.

The officials further said the experts also train the MLAs to efficiently discharge their responsibilities in the House by not disrupting the proceedings and coordinating with fellow and opposition members to transact maximum business for the benefit of common mass. “The House members are also expected to express their opinions on all aspects and not just remain silent spectator during proceedings,” they added.