The Assembly Secretariat, on Wednesday, held a training programme for the newly elected legislators ahead of the Budget session of Puducherry Assembly convening on August 24.

In the 16th Legislative Assembly, constituted after the April 2026 Assembly elections, 14 of the newly elected legislators are first-time MLAs.

The one-day training programme, held at a hotel in town, was aimed at making the legislators familiar with the proceedings of the House. The legislators were given lessons on the conduct of the Assembly, business rules, privileges to raise questions, submitting notices, and other practices to be followed.

Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan, DMK legislature party leader A. M. H Nazeem, former Minister R. Viswanathan, former legislator Ilango, and Assembly Secretary Dayalan were among those who took classes.

The Legislative Assembly will convene on August 24 with the customary address of the Lieutenant Governor. Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan will address the house around 9. 30 a.m. On the same day, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present the Annual Budget around 3 p.m.

The government has to mandatorily pass the Budget for 2026-27 before August 31 for meeting expenditure requirements, including payment of salary and pensions, as the vote on account of ₹5,396 crore sanctioned by the house in February was only for a five-month period.

Published - August 19, 2026 10:56 pm IST