By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 14, 2020: The Monsoon Session of Odisha Legislative Assembly, which has been inordinately delayed due to outbreak of COVID-10 pandemic, will begin from September 29 and conclude on October 7, officials said.

The House had to be convened as it is mandatory start the new session within six months of the commencement of the previous session, Assembly Speaker, Surya Narayan Patro said.

“Hence, going by the rule, the next session must start by September 30,” Patro said.

The last session of the House was held on March 29. The last part of the Budget session was held at the Lok Sabha Bhavan convention hall where 30 percent of the members participated in passing the Appropriation Bill.

The session will have eight sittings spread over nine days including Saturdays and Sundays. There will be no sittings on October 2.

All safety measures will be taken to conduct the session as per the coronavirus guidelines.

Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro had earlier said, “It is mandatory to start a last session of the House was held on March 29. Hence, going by the rule, the next session must start by September 30.”

All the MLAs, staff and other senior officials will have to undergo COVID-19 test ahead of the Monsoon Session of the State Legislative Assembly.

A special counter will be set up on the Assembly premises for the RT-PCR tests of the MLAs, staff and other officers two days before the commencement of the session, officials said.