Bhubaneswar, Sept 18: The fourth session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly began on a solemn note today, as the House paid tributes to several former leaders who passed away recently. Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the proceedings for the day after a condolence motion was moved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The day’s session commenced with a ceremonial welcome for the Speaker, who was greeted with a police band salute. This was followed by the singing of the national anthem, setting the tone for the Assembly’s business.

The House remembered the contributions of former Minister Rajendra Dholakia, former Deputy Speaker and Union Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj, and former MLAs Prasanna Kumar Patnaik, Karendra Majhi, Niranjan Hembram, Prafulla Kumar Bhanja, and Mohammad Rafiq. Leaders across party lines, including Opposition Leader Prasanna Acharya and Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, supported the motion and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

The Speaker highlighted the good work and public service of the departed members during their political careers. The House then observed a moment of silence as a mark of respect. Speaker Padhy later announced that official condolences would be sent to the families before adjourning the House for the day.

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