Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated a two-day Orientation Programme for newly elected members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in Kolkata on July 3, 2026. The programme, organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) under the Lok Sabha Secretariat in collaboration with the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, aims to familiarize legislators with parliamentary procedures, committee systems, financial oversight, and digital initiatives like NeVA.
The inaugural session was attended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, and West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, who delivered the welcome address. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh proposed the vote of thanks.
Over the two days, legislators will participate in technical sessions covering topics such as customs and conventions of legislatures, executive accountability through questions and procedural devices, the committee system, legislative processes including private members’ bills, financial business and budgetary procedures, parliamentary privileges and ethics, and the use of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) for paperless governance.
The valedictory session on July 4 will be addressed by West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi. The programme is designed to strengthen the democratic process by equipping new MLAs with knowledge and skills to perform their legislative duties effectively, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance.
