In a significant development for Bihar's legislative proceedings, assembly Speaker Prem Kumar announced on Friday that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha chairman C P Radhakrishnan, and Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju will participate in the foundation day celebrations of the state assembly building. The event is scheduled for February 7 during the upcoming budget session.
All-Party Meeting Sets Stage for Month-Long Session
The information was formally shared during an all-party meeting convened ahead of the month-long budget session of the Bihar legislature. This crucial session is scheduled to commence on February 2 and conclude on February 28, encompassing 19 working days of legislative business.
Joint Sitting and Lecture Programme Planned
Speaker Prem Kumar detailed that a joint sitting of lawmakers from both the assembly and legislative council will be held in the central hall of the new legislature building during the first half of February 7. This special gathering will feature the distinguished presence of Om Birla, C P Radhakrishnan, and Kiren Rijiju.
Following the joint sitting, a lecture programme has been organized to enrich the proceedings, with lunch arrangements made for all participants. The Speaker emphasized during the meeting that lawmakers should actively cooperate to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the budget session, assuring that all proceedings would adhere strictly to House rules and legislative conventions.
Governor's Address and Session Logistics
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan will address the joint sitting of the House on the opening day of the session, setting the tone for the legislative agenda. The all-party meeting saw participation from key political figures including deputy Speaker Narendra Narayan Yadav, ministers Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, and Shrawan Kumar, along with Alok Mehta representing the RJD and representatives from other political parties.
Security and Administrative Preparations
In a separate high-level meeting, Speaker Prem Kumar reviewed comprehensive arrangements for the session with senior officials. Critical aspects including security protocols, traffic management systems, medical facilities, cleanliness measures, and parking arrangements were thoroughly discussed to ensure seamless proceedings.
The Speaker directed officials of the assembly secretariat to ensure timely disposal of petitions submitted by lawmakers concerning matters of public interest. He stressed the importance of strictly adhering to prescribed protocols and coordinating effectively with various government departments.
Government Commitment to Legislative Responsibilities
Parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary emphasized the government's commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities toward the House. He stressed that nodal officers from all departments must remain proactive in their duties, while expressing concern over the absence of senior officials from certain departments during planning discussions.
Participants in this second high-level meeting included legislative council chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh, deputy Speaker of the assembly Shri Narayan Yadav, heads of various government departments, and officials from the assembly secretariat. The coordinated efforts aim to ensure that assurances made on the floor of the House, along with reports and replies to lawmakers' questions, are cleared promptly and efficiently.
The foundation day celebration marks an important milestone in Bihar's legislative history, bringing together national and state leadership to commemorate the assembly building while setting the stage for productive budget discussions that will shape the state's financial and policy direction for the coming year.
