Manipur governor Najma Heptulla advised the government to extend the days of Assembly sessions.

Inaugurating the first Manipur Legislative Museum and Archives at the old Assembly complex here on Thursday, Heptulla said the Assembly sessions should be extended for a longer period as it is the only place where legislators get the chance to discuss issues concerning people.

“I would also like to speak to chief minister N. Biren Singh. I have spoken to Speaker Y. Khemchand to take a decision in this regard so that not only the MLAs of the ruling party but also from the Opposition get to speak. The government here is working very well, so I am sure they will not be scared to do this,” the governor said.

The Speaker said he has acknowledged the suggestion.

Along with the governor and the Speaker, deputy Speaker K. Robindro, former chief minister and leader of the Opposition Okram Ibobi Singh, health minister L. Jayantakumar and chairman of the Hill Areas Committee T.T. Haokip attended the event. “I have full confidence that the Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives will be of great value and interest to the people of the state and will go a long way in fulfilling their aspirations. I feel proud to know that the Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives has already got an enviable range of invaluable books and will get only richer as it grows older,” the governor said.

Museums are also about the present and the future and not just the past, she added.

“By establishing this institution, the Assembly is rendering a great service to posterity as the young generation will also be greatly benefited from it. I am sure the students and followers of Manipur political history will not be disappointed with the rich stock available at the museum as the political history of Manipur before and after attaining statehood in 1972 are equally exciting,” the governor added.

The Speaker said he had visited the Parliament museum when he went to New Delhi with 18 newly elected MLAs in April last year and it inspired him to start working on the Manipur Legislative Museum and Archives.