CHANDIGARH — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini kicked off the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha by reading obituary resolutions for several notable personalities. The assembly, meeting in Chandigarh, honored individuals who passed away between sessions.

Saini, also the leader of the house, stood first to pay respects. The resolutions covered deaths including Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra; Surinder Kumar Madan, a former minister of state; and Anand Kaushik, ex-member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly. Others remembered included Sahil Khan, nephew of MLA Mamman Khan; Kesar Singh, brother of MLA Ram Karan; and Nirmal Deep Chattha, mother of MLA Sardar Mandeep Chattha.

Speaker Harvinder Kalyan followed with his own readings and tributes to the departed. Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Aditya Chautala, speaking for his party, also addressed the house on the resolutions. Members expressed condolences to the grieving families.

The assembly then turned to Haryana’s fallen soldiers. Lawmakers saluted 13 troops who died defending India’s borders. Subedar Hiralal came from Akbarpur village in Mahendragarh district. Subedar Dharamvir hailed from Birohar in Jhajjar district. Sub-Inspector Akash Chaudhary was from Rudrol in Charkhi Dadri district.

Havildar Harjinder Singh lived in Mangoli Rangdan, Kurukshetra district. Havildar Jogender Singh was a resident of Barkoda in Mahendragarh. Naik Parveen Kumar called Sheria village in Jhajjar home. Naik Deepak Goyat grew up in Kaapdo village, Hansi district.

Sepoy Sudhir Narwal originated from Sherpur in Yamunanagar district. Sepoy Jogender was from Mayyar in Hisar. Sepoy Mohit came from Gijarod in Jhajjar. Sepoy Sahil Meena lived in Jadthal, Rewari district. Sepoy Manish Kumar was from Sulehra in Jind district. Sepoy Surjit rounded out the list from Dhukra in Sirsa district.

The house stood in silence. It resolved to send condolences to each family. Saini emphasized the soldiers’ courage in protecting national unity. The budget session continues with lawmakers set to debate financial plans later this week.