Assembly sessions must be held for at least 75 days a year: Ayyanna

To facilitate comprehensive discussions on public matters, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker, Ch Ayyanapatrudu, emphasised that Assembly sessions should be held for a minimum of 75 days annually. Speaking on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day celebrations, he paid floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, and later unfurled the national flag.
In his address, Ayyanapatrudu conveyed Republic Day greetings to the people and highlighted that the Indian Constitution, which came into force on January 26, 1950, has completed 76 years. He underscored that the Constitution granted citizens freedom, equality, dignity, and voting rights. Through these rights, the Constitution empowered the people to elect their government. He also noted that the foresight of the Constitution’s framers allowed for amendments to be made, strengthening it over time. The Constitution has been amended 106 times so far. Despite its long implementation, challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, corruption, inequality, gender discrimination, terrorism, religious extremism, substance abuse, and violence against women continue to persist. He called for a collective effort to address these issues and urged everyone to uphold the spirit of the Constitution, ensuring that government welfare schemes benefit the underprivileged.
The event was attended by Deputy Speaker K Raghurama Krishna Raju, Chairperson of the 20 Point Programme Lanka Dinakar, Madiga Corporation President Undavalli Sridevi, Assembly Secretary-General S. Prasanna Kumar, Deputy Secretary Raj Kumar, and other dignitaries.
In a separate event, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Chairman Koye Moshen Raju stated that social inequalities can only be fully eradicated when welfare schemes from both the central and state governments reach every poor individual. He made these remarks during the 76th Republic Day celebrations held at the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly premises.
The event began with Chairman Moshen Raju paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, followed by the hoisting of the national flag. In his address, he extended Republic Day wishes to the people of the state and emphasised the significance of the day. He reminded that while India achieved independence in 1947, the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950. Reflecting on the fact that the nation has celebrated 76 Republic Days, he pointed out that social inequalities still persist. Chairman Moshen Raju stressed that the various welfare programs being implemented by the central and state governments aim to eliminate these inequalities. He affirmed that only when these initiatives reach every individual, especially the poor, will true equality prevail in society.
He also expressed concern over the reduction in the number of working days for legislative bodies, particularly Assembly sessions, which he believes undermines democracy. He stressed that Assembly sessions should be held for at least 75 days a year, citing how budget sessions during NT Rama Rao’s tenure as Chief Minister in 1983 often lasted up to 45 days and sometimes extended until midnight.
The event was attended by Assembly Secretary-General S. Prasanna Kumar, Deputy Secretaries Raj Kumar and Subba Reddy, along with other officials.