The Monsoon Session of the State Assembly, which is scheduled to begin on October 29 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, would have no Question Hour. Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro informed this after an all-party meeting held on Friday.
As many as 12 Ordinances, which have been cleared by the State Cabinet, would be tabled during the session for discussion.
The House would run for four hours every day, including Sunday (October 4).“Covid-19 test of all MLAs will begin from tomorrow. Sitting arrangements have been made keeping in view the social distancing norm.
Videoconferencing facility from district headquarters is available for senior MLAs. But they will have to inform us beforehand,” said Patro.
The other decisions taken at the all-party meeting are: Adjournment of the House for an hour after obituary references for former President Pranab Mukhar and former MLAs Bishnu Charan Das and Madan Mohan Dutta and some police personnel on September 29Sitting arrangements for MLAs in Assembly Hall, Visitors’ Gallery, DV Gallery and Speaker’s Gallery Time of each sitting day 11 am or 10.30 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 4.30 pm Members will participate in the debate by standing/ sitting in their respective seats. Ministers will give answers by standing/ sitting in their seats.
Issuance of entry passes to Press (print media) to Assembly Hall and TV representatives to premises (outside the Assembly building). No Lobby passes to any press or TV representatives or any other person other than MLAs.
Participation of MLAs in House through videoconference at OCAC Bhubaneswar, Conference Halls of the Lok Seva Bhawan, residential offices of Chief Minister, Ministers/Leader of Opposition/ Members and office of respective Collectors where videoconference systems have been installed.
No papers, reports, etc., are to be distributed among MLAs in the House except of urgent nature, i.e., amendments to Bill, reply of Minister, etc.All such papers, etc., will be distributed by Daks to MLAs at their respective quarters.
Sanitisation of Assembly Hall and premises daily by BMC Supply of corona preventive kits to MLAs/ media people/ officers and staffs by the Health and Family Welfare DepartmentCorona test for all police personnel to be engaged during the session.
Restriction of entry of staffs of Ministers and conduct of their corona testRestriction of entry of department officers with negative report after corona test (Secretary of the department concerned and two other officers)
Introduction, consideration and passing of 12 Ordinances replacing Bills along with other Bills However, Opposing Congress has condemned the decision to suspend Question Hour.
Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra termed the decision as illegal and unconstitutional.