: The Odisha Legislative Assembly was adjourned indefinitely today following the conclusion of its winter session, which lasted a total of 11 days, ending 18 working days prior to schedule. The decision was reportedly taken with unanimous consent of the House members.

The winter session drew widespread attention, notably due to the address by President Draupadi Murmu, who spoke to the Assembly on matters of conduct and decorum. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also presented the supplementary budget, marking a key highlight of the session.

Tensions Rise Over Malkangiri Issue

The final day of the session witnessed intense debates over the ongoing Malkangiri unrest. Opposition legislators confronted the government over the handling of the situation in the district, citing concerns over law and order.

BJD legislator Ranendra Pratap Swain raised the issue, alleging, “Malkangiri is burning; another Kandhamal-like situation may arise. Many houses have been burnt, and lives lost, yet the Assembly continues its proceedings.” He criticized the state government for creating an atmosphere of unrest in the region.

Calls for Accountability and Investigations

Legislators demanded action and accountability from the government over multiple issues:

• The loss of Ratna Bhandar keys, with calls for a CBI investigation to ensure transparency.

• Opposition leaders stressed that the Prime Minister had earlier assured that such incidents would be thoroughly investigated if the BJP were in power in Odisha.

Swain further emphasized the urgency of forming a House Committee to address the Malkangiri issue promptly.

Assembly Debates Marked by Confrontations

The winter session also witnessed confrontations between the ruling and opposition parties over various matters. Lawmakers debated the conduct, decorum, and legislative procedures, highlighting sharp differences in approach.

During discussions, concerns were raised regarding the government’s responsiveness to public grievances and law enforcement in critical areas, reflecting the heightened political tensions in the Assembly.

Session Concludes Amid Unresolved Issues

As the winter session officially concludes, several pressing issues, including Malkangiri unrest and administrative accountability, remain unresolved. The adjournment marks a pause in legislative proceedings until further notice, with the Assembly expected to revisit these matters in future sessions.

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CBI Formally Assumes Control of Investigation

Bhubaneswar, Nov 12: In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over the probe into the Odisha Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment exam scam, following approval from the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.

The move marks a major escalation in the ongoing investigation into the multi-crore recruitment irregularity that has rocked the state’s police recruitment system. Earlier, local police had arrested 114 candidates and three agents for their alleged involvement in leaking the question paper for the Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE) 2024.

From Berhampur Arrests to CBI Takeover

The case first came to light when Berhampur police, on September 29, 2022, intercepted a group of 114 candidates and three middlemen near the Andhra Pradesh border. The group was accused of orchestrating a question paper leak racket that spanned multiple states.

Citing the interstate dimension of the crime, the Odisha government recommended a CBI investigation on October 22, 2024. The recommendation was later formalised through two official notifications — No. 36169 (October 27) and No. 37152 (October 31) — issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department.

These notifications, referred to in the Centre’s approval letter, indicate a decisive shift in the state’s stance, reflecting growing pressure for a transparent and impartial probe.

Key Documents Handed Over to CBI

A CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has already collected crucial files from the Odisha Home Department, marking the formal beginning of the central probe. The CBI will now investigate the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) and examine its links to Panchsoft Technologies and its associate Silicon Techlab, which were responsible for conducting the exam.

Sources said that while the Odisha Crime Branch had earlier arrested the alleged mastermind Shankar Prusty and his aide Suresh Kumar Nayak, the inquiry had not delved deep into the tech firm’s role in the leak. The CBI is expected to trace financial trails, identify insider involvement, and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.

Political Ripples and Growing Accountability

The CBI takeover has generated political tremors in Odisha, with opposition parties calling it a vindication of their demand for a central probe. The notifications from the state’s General Administration Department are being viewed as a policy shift amid allegations of mishandling and cover-up during the earlier stages of the investigation.

Officials suggest that the central agency’s involvement will help restore public confidence in the recruitment process, which has been severely damaged by the scandal.

125 Arrests So Far; Confidence in System at Stake

With the total number of arrests rising to 125, including several intermediaries and candidates, the CBI aims to map the entire network behind the leak — from the exam organisers to external facilitators. The agency has hinted at a comprehensive forensic audit of the digital and financial transactions linked to the examination process.

By unravelling the layers of this conspiracy, the CBI hopes to rebuild trust in Odisha’s police recruitment system and ensure accountability across all levels involved in the misconduct.

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