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All MLAs and staff of the Odisha Legislative Assembly will undergo Covid-19 test ahead of the Budget Session which is scheduled to start from March 25, informed Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro on Tuesday.
A decision in this regard was taken during an all party meeting chaired by the Speaker today.
Briefing media after the meeting, the Speaker said, "The House will operate with strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocols framed by the government. It is our duty to follow the law and orders of the government in the Assembly. We cannot go beyond the guidelines or rules framed by the government."
The House will have five-hour business hour and sitting arrangements for all the legislators will be done, Patro said.
Though the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra proposed to allow the entry of representatives from print and television media, it was not accepted by the government, Patro informed.
"I urged the government to allow media personnel during the Budget session of the House. But, my proposal was turned down. This is not acceptable to me," said Mishra.
"Our two proposals- To extend the time of question hour from one hour to one and half hours and House adjournment timing from 6 pm to 7 pm have been rejected by the Speaker," said deputy Leader of Opposition Bishnu Sethi.
Government Chief Whip, Pramila Mallik, said, "In the meeting, it was decided that all the MLAs will undergo Covid test and their sitting arrangements will be done as per the Covid protocol. The House will run with all Covid norms in place."
