On the first day of the Monsoon Session on Tuesday, the State Assembly paid rich tribute to former President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Chief Minister Janaki Ballav Patnaik and eight other departed souls and was adjourned till Wednesday in their respect.
As soon as the House assembled, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik moved obituary references on the passing away of APJ Abdul Kalam, JB Patnaik, former Ministers Sriballav Panigrahi, Ananda Acharya, Kalpataru Das, Karitka Mohapatra, former MlAs Parsuram Panigrahi, Sarat Paikray and Premalata Mohapatra and Gramrakhi Jaga Khilla.
Expressing deep grief, the Chief Minister hailing Kalam as an outstanding scientist and President and Patnaik as veteran politician, writer and journalist said their sad demise is an irreparable loss to the country as well as the State. Similarly, he termed former Ministers and MlAs as astounding leaders and paid tributes to them. He said Khilla laid his life for the sake of the country.
leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra and BJP legislature Party leader Basanta Panda supporting the obituary motion also condoled the deaths former President Kalam, former Chief Minister JB Patnaik and others.
Speaker Niranjan Pujari said the condolence of the House would be conveyed to the bereaved families.
Members then observed one minute silent prayer for the departed souls.
"All the questions scheduled for today were considered as presented. The House was adjourned till 10.30 am on Wednesday," Pujari said.