BHUBANESWAR: The first legislator from Bonda tribe, 33-year-old Dambaru Sisa, was among the 138 MLAs, who took oath as member of Odisha Legislative Assembly on Friday.
Pro tem Speaker V Sugnana Kumari Deo administered the oath to the MLAs, including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Bonda tribe has been identified as one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) whose existence is found only in Malkangiri district. Sisa was elected from Chitrakonda constituency in Malkangiri district on a BJD ticket.
Being the first among the Bonda tribe to hold a Masters degree, Sisa said his priority will be to work for providing health, education and sanitation. The literacy rate among the Bonda tribes is only 8 per cent. Though Sisa joined CRPF as a constable, he quit the job to work for the community.
Meanwhile, a group of Congress legislators, led by Narsingh Mishra, made a courtesy call on the Chief Minister at his Assembly chamber after taking oath. Others who met the Chief Minister include Prafulla Majhi, Jogesh Singh and Subal Sahu. Nine more MLAs, including eight from the BJD, will take oath on Saturday. Election for the post of the Speaker will be held on Monday.
Meanwhile, first-time BJD MLA from Rairakhol Rohit Pujari has been appointed Deputy Government Chief Whip.