The 16th session of the 11th Parliament, also known as winter session, began at 4pm on Sunday with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

President Abdul Hamid started addressing the Jatiya Sangsad during the maiden session of 2022 as per the Article 73 (2) of the Constitution that states the President shall address Parliament at the commencement of the first session of every year.

Later, a general discussion will be held over thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech. The MPs across the board are supposed to participate in the discussion before the adoption of the motion by Parliament. Earlier, the Cabinet approved the President’s speech.

Also read: President Hamid urges transparency in govt activities

Meanwhile, the Speaker nominated a five-member panel of Chairmen at the outset of the first sitting of the session.

The panel members are Md Abdus Shahid (Moulvibazar-4), AB Tajul Islam (Brahmanbaria-6), Md Mujibul Haque (Kishoreganj-3), Manjur Hossain (Faridpur-1) and Parveen Haque Sikder (Women Seat-39).

The nominated members will conduct the proceedings of Parliament in chronological order in absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

Since this session is being held amid the Covid-19 pandemic, all health protocols would be maintained, according to the Parliament Secretariat.

Also read: JS goes into session Sunday

The last session (15th) of the current parliament was prorogued on November 28.

On January 1 last, President Abdul Hamid, also the Head of the State, convened the 16th session of 11th Parliament exercising the power bestowed upon him as per the Article 72 (1) of the Constitution.