The Monsoon Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly began on Tuesday amid protests by the Opposition over alleged errors in school textbooks and concerns surrounding the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act).
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress raised separate issues shortly after the Question Hour commenced. BJD legislators protested over alleged inaccuracies in school textbooks, while Congress MLAs raised slogans calling for the withdrawal of the legislation related to the MMDR Act.
Carrying placards, Opposition members entered the well of the House during the proceedings. Speaker Surama Padhy subsequently adjourned the Assembly until 1:10 PM.
BJD Legislators Protest Over Textbook Issue
Following the adjournment, BJD legislators moved to Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar to stage a demonstration over the textbook issue.
The Opposition has alleged that errors in school textbooks need to be addressed and has sought accountability from the state government.
Separately, the Biju Yuva Chhatra Janata Dal organised a “Save Education” protest at Lower PMG, demanding the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond and immediate availability of textbooks.
The demonstration was led by Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Chinmay Sahu and BJD student wing president Ipsita Sahu, with other senior party leaders joining the protest.
Congress Raises MMDR Act Issue
Congress legislators also raised the issue of the amended MMDR Act inside the Assembly.
The Opposition has indicated that it intends to seek a detailed discussion on the legislation and its reported implications for Odisha.
BJD leader Pramila Mallik said the party had submitted a motion seeking discussion on the issue and urged the Speaker to allow members to deliberate on the matter.
According to Mallik, the party wants legislators to discuss what it describes as Odisha’s losses arising from the amended MMDR provisions.
The MMDR issue is expected to remain one of the prominent subjects of debate during the session.
Nine Working Days In Assembly Session
The Assembly session is scheduled to continue until October 3 and comprises nine working days.
The state government is expected to introduce six bills during the session.
The opening proceedings also included condolence references for several former legislators and political figures, including former minister Susanta Singh, former government chief whip Satya Bhusan Sahu, Ramamurthy Gamang, Haji Mohammad Ayub Khan and Shivaji Majhi.
Several Issues Likely To Be Raised
The Question Hour during the session covers departments including Forest and Environment, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Housing and Urban Development, Rural Development, Public Enterprises and Labour.
The Opposition has indicated that it plans to raise several issues during the nine-day sitting.
These include:
- MMDR Act and its implications for Odisha
- Alleged errors in school textbooks
- Mahanadi water dispute
- Law and order
- Flood management
- Alleged question paper leaks
- Teacher-related issues
- Farmers’ concerns
- Unemployment
Both the BJD and Congress have indicated that the MMDR issue will be a key subject of their interventions during the session.
BJP Holds Legislature Party Meeting
Ahead of the Assembly proceedings, the ruling BJP legislature party held a meeting to discuss its strategy for the session.
The meeting focused on preparing the ruling side to respond to issues likely to be raised by the Opposition during the proceedings.
With several contentious matters expected to come up for discussion, the short Monsoon Session is likely to see debates on education, mining legislation, agriculture, employment, law and order and disaster management.
