Chennai: Ahead of the first sitting Thursday of the newly elected Tamil Nadu Assembly, the state government has conducted a comprehensive training programme for 146 first-time legislators, equipping them with procedural, administrative and governance-related knowledge to help them participate effectively in legislative proceedings from day one.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay inaugurated the two-day programme Tuesday in a bid to familiarise the newcomers—particularly young MLAs from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in power for the first time—with the intricacies of administrative functioning, especially amid criticism over the TVK’s lack of experience in governance.
At the inauguration, Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar underlined that first-time MLAs lack experience in legislative processes and the orientation would ensure they can contribute meaningfully from the outset, upholding the dignity and productivity of the assembly.
Without proper guidance, newcomers risk procedural lapses, ineffective participation or unintended breach of decorum.
Government officials said the MLAs were given practical training on asking questions to ministers, submitting notices for various types of motions, and other essential practices for raising public issues and participating in debates.
“By understanding administrative workflows, we will be better positioned to execute government programmes, direct the people to the right authorities, seek accountability, propose informed interventions and bridge the gap between policy decisions and their implementation on the ground,” K. Sindu, TVK MLA from Gudiyattam, a first-timer, told ThePrint.
Sindu added that the new MLAs got training to participate in debates and to ensure effective representation in the assembly sessions.
Tamil Nadu finance minister and MLA Marie Wilson told reporters that it was a learning experience. “It was a first-of-its-kind (experience) for me as I have been elected for the first time. I got to know about all the departments in a single sitting. Everyone learned and interacted,” he said.
Training was also given on the executive side of governance, with sessions focused on the functioning of specific government departments, covering their organisational structures, roles and responsibilities, policy formulation, implementation processes and mechanisms.
To inform the MLAs about the functioning of government departments, officials from each department made a presentation on the key schemes being implemented by it and the overall functioning of the department.
“We had experts from each department explain about their functioning, and give us the details of how various government schemes were being implemented. We need to be aware of the government machinery to ensure that people dependent on these schemes are benefited the right way. The training helped us understand the eligibility of various sections of people for the schemes and when they approach us, we will be able to guide them,” another MLA from Chennai told ThePrint, not willing to be named.
Multiple sessions during the programme centred on day-to-day legislative functioning where MLAs were explained the Rules of Procedure of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and on the formal framework that governs all activities within the assembly.
TVK MLAs and those from alliance parties including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League participated in the training session, while those from the opposition were absent.
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‘CM monitored training session’
According to TVK MLA Gopison, CM Vijay asked for feedback from the MLAs post the training session and closely monitored it as well.
“Our CM wanted the MLAs to know about the system and formula of government functioning. We now know about each and every department and what status they are holding right now. Briefings were made by the chief secretaries of each department,” he told ANI.
A key component of the training was guidance on conduct in the assembly, what legislators should and should not say, maintaining decorum and appropriate behaviour during proceedings.
“We were explained about the question hour, responsibilities of MLAs and functions of various official bodies in the assembly. We were taught how to raise questions and how to respond to issues. We also need to coordinate with other leaders and local body officials as we carry out our duties,” said Sindu.
During the session, the Speaker encouraged MLAs to draw inspiration from legendary leaders by studying their assembly speeches in the library, emphasising that well-informed legislators strengthen democratic institutions and better serve their constituencies.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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