Mysuru: Out of 25 MLCs just seven attended he introductory two-day workshop on rural development for MLCs organised by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj at Abdul Nazeer Saab State Institute of Rural Development on Lalitha Mahal Road here on Friday. The MLCs who attended the workshop were Srinivas Maane, Pratap Chandra Shetty, Kota Srinivas Poojari, Mahantesh Kavatagimutt, R Dharmasena, D H Shankaramurthy and S V Sankanur.

During the last Assembly session held at Belagaavi, it was felt that the MLCs had to be given training on rural development to enable them to participate in debates inside the House. Based on the recommendations by the Council Chairman, the workshop was organised in Mysuru. The workshop intended to increase the subject knowledge of MLCs so that they could participate in debates including discussions on budget and other financial issues. As part of the workshop, an exhibition on rural life and government schemes, replicas of agriculture, weather conditions, rain water dependency, animal husbandry and various government schemes was also held at the venue. Minister H K Patil mentioned that though there were 75 MLCs the training was conducted in batches accommodating 25 in each batch.

The two-day workshop was inaugurated by Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Principal Secretary Dr. N Nagalambika Devi, ZP President Nayeema Sultana, Director of Abdul Nazeer Saab State Institute of Rural Development Dr. Pranesh Rao were present.