President Droupadi Murmu is set to become the first President to address the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Thursday, during her two-day visit to the state.
President Murmu will address the members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm, informed Speaker Surama Padhy noting that the event has historical significance.
Padhy said Murmu will be the first President to visit and address the Odisha Assembly.
The President is a native of Odisha and a former two-time MLA from the Rairangpur seat in the year 2000 and 2004.
She served as a minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government in Odisha, holding portfolios such as Commerce and Transportation (Independent Charge) from March 6, 2000 to August 6, 2002 and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development from August 6, 2002 to May 16, 2004, respectively.
President Murmu will visit Room Number 11, the chamber she used while serving as a minister. The room has been renovated ahead of her visit, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, MPs from the state and eminent personalities are also scheduled to attend the proceedings when the President addresses the assembly.
In 2007, she was honoured with the ‘Nilkanth Award’ for the Best MLA of the Odisha Assembly.
She arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport at 2 pm and is scheduled to later inaugurate the Kalinga Atithi Nivas at the Raj Bhavan.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Bhubaneswar, including in and around the assembly for the high-profile visit, said an official.
President Murmu will conclude her visit and leave for Uttar Pradesh on November 28.
The Winter Session of the assembly will begin on Friday and is scheduled to continue till December 31.
