Bhubaneswar: It’s a historic day for the Odisha Legislative Assembly. It is for the first time that the Odisha Assembly sees a woman Speaker, a madam Speaker. Senior BJD leader and six-time MLA Pramila Mallik has been elected to the prestigious post unopposed marking a dawn of new era in the history of Odisha Assembly.
For the first time, the woman Speaker’s speech was seen in the Assembly. Madam Speaker has presided over the House on the first day of Monsoon Session of the Assembly.
Before the commencement of the Monsoon Session, a special session was held during which Speaker in-charge Rajanikant Singh announcement Pramila Mallik’s election as the first woman Speaker of the Odisha Assembly.
Leader of the House and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik moved a motion on her party MLA Mallik’s appointment as the Speaker which was supported by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Niranjan Pujari.
Then, the Chief Minister, Opposition BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra and other senior members accompanied Mallik to take the seat as the Speaker of the House.
In her maiden speech in the Assembly, the Speaker thanked all the members and sought their cooperation for the smooth functioning of the House. She also said that she would do her best to maintain the dignity of the House.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik thanked Mallik for being the first woman Speaker of the Odisha Assembly and expressed his confidence in her ability. She has been a lawmaker, a minister and the government chief whip, the CM said. Mallik’s vast experience would help her perform responsibilities as a Speaker, the CM further said.
Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra congratulated her. BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi said that his party is proud of Mallik for being the first woman to become Speaker of the OLA.
Later talking to media, Pramila Mallik said that she is very happy on being elected as Speaker. She expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has always been at the forefront of women empowerment.
The women MLAs of BJD also greeted the Chief Minister and thanked him on Pramila Mallik being elected as the first women Speaker of Odisha.
Following the Pramila Mallik’s election as the Speaker of Assembly, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s commitment towards women empowerment has been once again appreciated both at the state and national level.