Kolkata, 02 July (H.S.) : A two-day orientation programme for the newly elected members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly will begin on Friday, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurating the event. The programme is aimed at familiarising legislators with parliamentary traditions, legislative procedures, etiquette and the responsibilities of an effective lawmaker.

According to an official statement, the programme will be attended by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ritabrata Banerjee, and several other distinguished dignitaries.

A series of technical sessions has been planned to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of legislative functioning. The sessions will cover subjects such as the role of an effective legislator, parliamentary customs and etiquette, ensuring executive accountability through questions and other legislative procedures, the committee system in Parliament, the legislative process including private members' bills, the budgetary process, and parliamentary privileges and ethics.

The sessions will be chaired and addressed by presiding officers of various state legislatures, Members of Parliament, constitutional experts and senior parliamentary practitioners from across the country. The initiative is intended to strengthen the legislators' understanding of parliamentary institutions, democratic governance and legislative procedures.

Organisers said the programme will also serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences and best practices among legislators, presiding officers and parliamentary experts. Participants will also be introduced to financial oversight mechanisms, committee systems, parliamentary privileges and emerging digital initiatives in legislative bodies.

The programme will conclude on Saturday with the valedictory address by West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi. Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, and several other eminent personalities will also address various sessions during the event.

The orientation programme is being organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat in collaboration with the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. It seeks to equip newly elected legislators with the knowledge and skills required to effectively discharge their constitutional and legislative responsibilities.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh