Assam Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami has sought cooperation from all ministers and members of the State Legislative Assembly to run the session to be started on September 24 smoothly during an all-party meeting on Sunday at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati.
The meeting witnessed discussions on agenda and other related issues for the session.
Talking to media persons, Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said, “As per protocol, an all-party meeting was organised today ahead of the Assembly session to discuss the agenda and other related issues for the session.”
Patowary, while expressing hope for a fruitful session, said, “The Speaker has appealed for coordination of the ministers and legislators of all parties during the session of the Assembly.”
Patowary also said, “Speaker Goswami also sought suggestions from the ministers and MLAs.”
Talking on the issue of supplementary questions, Patowary said, “The Speaker has appealed to all the members of the Assembly to raise questions in broader perspectives instead of regional. It becomes tough for a minister to answer questions on constituency basis. So, it would be better to discuss the issues in broader perspectives.”
Besides, talking on the issue of formation Upper House, Patowary informed the subject was discussed in the meeting on Sunday.
“No ministers or MLAs have opposed the matter. No decision has been taken in this regard so far as the issue is under discussion,” Patowary said.
Replying to a question on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process, Patowary said, “The State Government is in favour of the interests of the indigenous people of the State. We have been working for the interests of the greater Assamese community.”
“Issues including NRC, big dam, formation of Upper House should be there in the session for constructive discussion. We welcome it,” Patowary said.
Patowary, while talking about probable hike in bus fare, said there was no option but to increase bus fare.
“The present bus fare was fixed in 2011. Being honest and keeping in mind the fuel price hikes since 2011, it would be a fair decision to revise bus fare and increase it to some extent. But, we will definitely hold a discussion with the private bus operators soon in the matter,” Patowary said.
The Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Hitendra Nath Goswami, chaired the meeting.