Odisha House mourns death of sitting MLA, 6 ex-members, 2 security personnel
Bhubaneswar, Sept 18 (UNI) The Odisha Assembly today condoled the demise of sitting MLA Rajendra Dholkia, six former legislators, and two security personnel who passed away during the period between the last and the current session of the House.
Rajendra Dholakia, a four-time legislator from Nuapada and former minister in the Naveen Patnaik government, passed away on September 8 at the age of 69.
The six former members who died were former minister and Deputy Speaker Bibhuti Bhusan Singh Mardaraj, Prasanna Kumar Pattnaik, Karendra Majhi, Niranjan Hembram, Prafulla Kumar Bhanj, and Mohammad Rafique.
The two deceased security personnel were Loknath Sabar, former constable of the Odisha Armed Police Force, and Laxman Majhi, former constable of the 2nd IR Battalion.
As the House assembled for the day, Chief Minister and leader of the House Mohan Charan Majhi moved an obituary reference, expressing grief over the demise of Dholakia, the six ex-legislators, and the two security personnel.
He requested Speaker Surama Padhi to convey condolences to their bereaved families.
Deputy leader of the Opposition Prasanna Acharya (BJD), Congress Legislature Party leader Ram Chandra Kadam, and CPI(M) leader Laxman Munda also expressed grief and conveyed condolences.
Speaker Surama Padhi joined the leaders in offering condolences. The Assembly observed a one-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
Following the obituary reference, the Speaker adjourned the House till 10:30 am tomorrow.
The monsoon session of the Assembly will continue till September 25 with seven working days scheduled. Of these, six have been reserved for official business, while September 19 has been earmarked for Private Members’ business, including bills and resolutions.
