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Training the New Wave: Tamil Nadu's MLAs Gear Up for Assembly Challenges
In a bid to prepare new members for the intricacies of legislative work, Tamil Nadu's government is offering essential training to its 146 rookie MLAs. Without adequate guidance, these newcomers could easily stumble into procedural missteps or struggle to engage effectively. Government officials have stepped in to provide hands-on training, focusing on key skills like formulating questions for ministers, submitting motion notices, and participating in public debates.
K. Sindu, a first-time MLA from Gudiyattam, highlighted the importance of understanding government processes:
“By understanding administrative workflows, we will be better positioned to execute government programmes, direct the people to the right authorities, seek accountability, propose informed interventions and bridge the gap between policy decisions and their implementation on the ground.”Sindu noted that the training emphasized effective debate participation and representation in assembly sessions.
Finance Minister Marie Wilson echoed this sentiment, describing the training as a unique learning opportunity.
“It was a first-of-its-kind (experience) for me as I have been elected for the first time. I got to know about all the departments in a single sitting. Everyone learned and interacted,”he stated. The training also included sessions on the executive branch, detailing the roles and responsibilities of various government departments and the processes behind policy formulation and implementation.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding, officials from each department presented key schemes and their operational frameworks. An anonymous MLA from Chennai remarked,
“We need to be aware of the government machinery to ensure that people dependent on these schemes are benefited the right way.”This focus on the practical implications of governance aims to equip MLAs to better assist constituents seeking guidance on government initiatives.
Sessions on legislative procedures covered the Rules of Procedure of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for maintaining order and decorum within the assembly. Notably, this training engaged MLAs from the TVK and its alliance partners, while opposition members were notably absent. According to MLA Gopison, feedback from the training was solicited by Chief Minister Vijay, who closely monitored the program's progress.
“Our CM wanted the MLAs to know about the system and formula of government functioning,”he revealed.
Crucially, the training also addressed proper conduct in the assembly, instructing MLAs on what to say and how to maintain decorum during proceedings. Sindu added,
“We were explained about the question hour, responsibilities of MLAs and functions of various official bodies in the assembly.”The Speaker encouraged MLAs to study the speeches of legendary leaders, reinforcing the idea that informed legislators can strengthen democratic institutions and serve their communities more effectively.
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