Change people's perception towards politicians: CM

Assam Legislative Assembly holds its 81st foundation anniversary

GUWAHATI, April 7: “There’s an urgent need to change people’s perception towards elected representatives. By and large, people maintain a negative image about politics and politicians. Therefore, the elected representatives have tremendous responsibility to generate positive perception and building positive image. They must work with caution and reverence and exert their responsibilities with greater commitment,” Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said this while speaking at the celebration of 81st Foundation Anniversary of the Assam Legislative Assembly held at Gopith Bordoloi Bhawan Conference Hall of the Assembly Secretariat in Guwahati on Saturday. 

The Chief Minister said that the government is putting efforts to bring people closer to the Legislative Assembly and promoting cooperative federalism to ensure inclusive development. “Democracy will strengthen with greater participation of people and this will also make elected representatives more accountable and committed towards public,” he said.

Sonowal said that as part of its initiatives to take the Assembly closer to the people, college and university students are provided opportunity to witness the proceedings of the floor of the House. Similarly, interaction of the students with the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs has been regularly organized. “This initiative helps the young generation to get first-hand knowledge about the procedure of ectment of laws and functioning of the elected representatives,” he said, adding that the people’s representatives would have to work for ensuring equal development and upholding dignity and rights of all communities.

Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Yumm Khemchand Singh, who attended the Foundation Anniversary as chief guest, underscored the role played by governce in shaping a better civilization in his speech and termed democracy as the best form of governce throughout the world.  

Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Hitendra th Goswami in his speech highlighted various initiatives introduced for maximizing opportunity for the young legislators in the Assembly. He informed that steps are being taken to develop the Assembly into a centre of research and academic activity and for this purpose a summer internship programme for students would soon be launched. Speaker Goswami also underlined the importance attached to the improvement and digitization of the Assembly library.

Coinciding the celebration, best legislator and best reporter awards for coverage of Assembly session were also presented. Speaker Hitendra th Goswami gave away the best legislator award to MLA from Joi LAC Bhuban Pegu and best reporter award jointly to Jitendra th Choudhury of Dainik Asom and Arup Mahanta of Dainik Agradoot.