Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh on Monday said while his government welcomed healthy criticism, the opposition should refrain from unnecessary criticism.

Addressing the members of legislative Assembly (MLAs) at the start of the two-day Special Orientation Programme, organised by the Punjab Assembly, the CM said all members should follow the basic etiquettes and courtesies of the legislative procedures in the House.

He appealed to the members of the opposition to play a constructive and positive role in the larger public interest. Constructive opposition of the government’s policies and programmes would help achieve better results in implementing its pro-people initiatives efficaciously.

Amarinder Singh called for a collective value-based ethical approach by members while raising public concerns of their respective Assembly constituencies, and Punjab as a whole.

He stressed the need for the members to imbibe the legislative skills, basic etiquettes and courtesies of the legislative procedures, traditions and conventions of the House while taking up crucial issues in public interest.

The CM exhorted the members to participate actively in the programme and ask a lot of questions to get better clarity on all issues governing legislative business.

Recalling his experience as Member of Parliament (MPs), the CM said late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used to hold regular orientation programmes for MPs, and remembered participating in one such session in Surajkund. He said he gained immensely from the experience.

Earlier, formally welcoming the CM and all members, Speaker Rana KP Singh said the initiative, mooted by the CM, was aimed at transference of knowledge on legislative traditions and practices to the new members.

The programme, he said, would help equip the members to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in the interest of the people – the real custodians of Parliamentary democracy.

Welcoming the initiative, Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira said it would strengthen the legislature, considered to be the strongest pillar of democracy. It would be particularly helpful for first-time legislators, he added. Khaira stressed the need to hold sufficient number of sittings of the House to allow members to raise the issues concerning their respective constituencies.