Orientation programme for Odisha Legislators
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik Fridya said that democratic dissent is a right. However, while exercising this right, Legislators must not forget democratic decency. He stressed that at no circumstances, democratic dissent should cast a shadow on democratic decency.
The chief minister said this while inaugurating the the two-day long orientation programme of MLAs organised here by Odisha Legislative Assembly in collaboration with Lok Sabha secretariat.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, “A country of many diversities, Indian democracy continues to get stronger by each passing year. The roots of our successful democracy lie in our people and their unflinching faith in democratic values. They are the real Masters in a Democracy. I believe; every elected representative must understand this. In whatever position you may be, the people are Supreme. Therefore, elected representatives should keep the common people at the centre of all their initiatives.”
“The primary function of the legislature is to make laws. An appetite for information and education on legislative procedures and understanding of socio-economic issues and policies will certainly help. All our Acts and Policies are essentially directed at greater public good. The legislators should also endeavour to bring the Acts and Policies to public domain so that people can be real partners in the process of change.”
” Raising issues of public importance is a basic norm of our democracy. Democratic dissent is a right. However, while exercising this right, legislators must not forget democratic decency. At no circumstances, democratic dissent should cast a shadow on democratic decency.”
“Finally, the most significant point for a people’s representative is that he or she must lead by example. Simplicity should be at the core of our public behaviour. Leading a simple life can help us connected to people.”
The programme was presided over by the Assembly speaker Surya Narayan Patro. Among others deputy speaker Rajanikanta Singh, parliamentary affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, leader of opposion Pradipta Kumar Nayak, government chief whip Pramila Mallick, director of PRIDE Lok Sabha Pullin Bhutia and OLA Secretary Dasarathy Satpathy also spoke on the occasion.
