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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 1 (EMN): The 8th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) scheduled from August 3 to the 5th is all set to commence in Kohima.
Since the notification of the upcoming session was received, the staff and officers of Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat have been making hectic preparations especially on enforcing strict adherence of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) associated with the Covid-19 pandemic situation and necessary precautionary measures.
Ahead of the assembly, Dr. PJ Antony, Commissioner and Secretary, NLA, informed Eastern Mirror that a pre-session swab-test for Covid-19 screening was conducted for non-vaccinated persons including legislators, administrative heads of departments (AHoDs), heads of departments (HoDs), Assembly Secretariat staff, security personnel and others associating with the ensuing session in different ways.
He informed that exemption has been made for those who have taken Covid-19 vaccine at least one shot before July 19, from producing any negative Covid-19 certificate.
However, those vaccinated were also asked to carry their vaccination certificate while turning up at the Assembly as part of the entry norms.
Regarding the sitting arrangement, Antony informed that all members of the House would be allowed to sit in the chamber this session as decided by the Speaker, adding that they had placed a few chairs within the chamber for those representatives who wish to maintain a safer social distance.
During the proceedings of the last Assembly session, some members were “not very comfortable” after being shifted in the officers gallery for the physical distancing norm in view of Covid-19.
As such, sensing the concern of such legislators, Antony informed that they would allow every member to sit inside the chamber while the business is being conducted in the House this time.
The official went on to inform that AHoDs would be sitting in the officers’ gallery while HoDs would be confined to the visitors’ gallery.
Meanwhile, the assembly would not be open to the public this time too in view of the pandemic protocols, it was informed.
It was learnt that the Naga political issue and post Covid economic recovery would be the key subjects to be discussed during the two-day 8th session of the 13th NLA.
The first day of the session would be conducted on August 3 while it would be concluded on Aug.5 after recess on the 4th.