The first-time MlAs of the ruling BJD on Sunday got the mantra from their leader Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and elder lawmakers of the party as to how to conduct themselves under the rules of business in the State Assembly and become responsible parliamentarians.
The new 42 of the 117 BJD MlAs were given training at a one-day orientation camp organised by the BJD legislature Party at the Pantha Niwas here.
Naveen Patnaik, inaugurating the close-door session, stressed the need to maintain decorum of the House. He stated that the people have given the BJD a high responsibility through their huge mandate expecting their welfare.
Senior party MlAs imparted training to the freshers on the rules of business of the Assembly. The new MlAs were cautioned against taking the Opposition groups lightly despite their smaller numbers.
The 'expert' members also told the new MlAs to study the problems in their constituencies and the hurdles in the implementation of the various programmes and schemes to highlight them in the House.
Since legislation is the most important business of the House, the members should read the Bills circulated earlier and come prepared to make their observations pointed during debates, the experts advised.
Among others, former Speaker and present Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Arukh, Bed Prakash Agrawala, Nrusinhga Sahu and Government Chief Whip Ananta Das imparted training to the first-timers.
"It is indeed a great initiative to educate the first-timers about the Assembly proceedings," said Byomakesh Ray, the new MlA from Chandabali. Similar responses were made by first-timers Srikanta Sahu and Rajashree Mallick.