Bhubaneswar: A group of Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) trainees visited the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Saturday as part of their orientation programme, receiving firsthand exposure to the workings of the State’s highest lawmaking institution. The visit was facilitated under the guidance of Speaker Smt. Surma Padhi, who personally interacted with the young officers and encouraged them to uphold integrity and public service in their future administrative roles.
During the interactive session, Speaker Padhi briefed the trainees on the structure, functioning and evolving responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly. She highlighted how legislative debates, committee deliberations and policy discussions directly influence governance at the grassroots level. Emphasising the importance of administrative-legislative coordination, she urged the trainees to maintain transparency, fairness and accountability while performing official duties.
The OAS probationers were also taken on a detailed tour of the Assembly premises, including the historic House Chamber, the Central Hall and various committee rooms. Officials accompanying them explained the procedures related to question hour, motion discussions, bill drafting and record-keeping. The trainees were particularly keen to understand how legislative procedures translate into actionable policies implemented by the district and field administration.
Speaker Surma Padhi also shared anecdotes from her public life and noted that young officers form the backbone of Odisha’s development machinery. She advised them to remain people-centric in their approach, listen to citizens’ concerns with patience and ensure timely delivery of public services. “Good governance begins with compassion, discipline and an unshakeable commitment to public welfare,” she told the trainees.
The visit concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which the trainees raised questions on legislative reforms, women’s representation in governance and the role of technology in improving administrative efficiency. Assembly officials expressed confidence that such exposure would strengthen the trainees’ understanding of democratic processes and prepare them for effective public service in the years to come.
