Odisha Assembly debate Archives - Odisha Connect

Odisha Assembly Budget Session Concludes Amid Protests; Key Bills Passed

OdishaConnect — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:28:29 +0000

Session Held in Two Phases for 22 Days
The Odisha Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session concluded today, earlier than scheduled. The session, which began on February 17 and was originally slated to continue until April 8, saw a total of 22 sitting days across two phases.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the state Budget for the financial year 2026–27 on February 20.

Frequent Disruptions and Opposition Protests
The proceedings were marked by repeated disruptions. In the first phase, opposition members protested over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement, leading to several days of stalled House proceedings.

In the second phase, opposition parties continued protests for nine consecutive days, demanding the resignation of the Health Minister over the SCB Medical College fire incident. As a result, much of the legislative business could not function normally.

Despite the disruptions, opposition members participated in discussions on the Appropriation Bill.

Key Legislative Business Completed
On the final day, the Assembly witnessed nearly four hours of discussions before passing the Odisha Government Universities Cadre Reservation Bill, 2026. The bill aims to ensure reservation policies in teaching appointments by treating each state-run university as a single unit.

However, the bill related to salary hikes for ministers and MLAs, as well as pensions for former legislators, was withdrawn after several members demanded a review. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that the decision was taken following calls for reconsideration.

Discussion on Reservation and Vacancy Concerns
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted that while central institutions follow a unified reservation system, Odisha lacked such a framework for its state universities.

He also pointed out that out of 2,086 sanctioned teaching posts in state universities, only 659 are currently filled, emphasizing the need for legislation to address vacancies and ensure representation of SC, ST, SEBC, and other categories.

Opposition Demands and Debate
Opposition leaders, including Ranendra Pratap Swain, Arun Kumar Sahoo, Ashok Das, Dhruva Charan Sahu, and Ganeshwar Behera, demanded that the bill be referred to a Select Committee for further review. However, the government argued for its immediate implementation due to its importance.

The Speaker later allowed discussions, but the opposition strongly opposed the bill.

Tributes and Adjournment
The House also witnessed discussions on Biju Babu in the morning session, followed by extensive debates on the budget and the reservation bill.

In his closing remarks, Chief Minister Majhi thanked all members for their participation. Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik and Congress MLA Ashok Das also expressed gratitude on behalf of their respective parties.

At 12:41 AM, the Speaker adjourned the House sine die, marking the end of the Budget Session after a turbulent yet productive legislative period.

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Deadly Hospital Blaze Ignites Political Firestorm: Opposition Demands Resignations After 13 Perish at SCB

OdishaConnect — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:24:01 +0000

The tragic death of 13 people in a devastating fire at the SCB Medical College and Hospital has transformed into a high-stakes political battlefield. As grief turns to fury, opposition parties have launched a blistering attack on the state government, accusing the administration of “criminal negligence” and shielding senior officials from accountability.

‘Kumbhakarna’s Slumber’: BJD Slams Government Inaction

Leading the charge, BJD MLA Arun Sahoo accused the government of being in a “deep, Kumbhakarna-like sleep” while families mourn. Sahoo pointedly questioned the immunity enjoyed by the hospital’s Superintendent, suggesting an inappropriate proximity to the Chief Minister.

“Thirteen lives have been snuffed out, yet the real culprits remain at large,” Sahoo declared. “Why has no action been taken against the incompetent Superintendent? It is profoundly unfortunate that the Health Minister hasn’t had the moral decency to resign. Two fires have broken out at SCB, yet the government continues to treat safety with chilling indifference.”

BJP Defends: ‘Judicial Inquiry is Underway’

Responding to the onslaught, BJP MLA Irasis Acharya maintained that the administration acted with “unprecedented speed.” He noted that the Chief Minister visited the site immediately and that a judicial probe has already been commissioned.

“Action has already been taken against four individuals based on the Fact-Finding Committee’s preliminary report,” Acharya stated, highlighting the recent transfer of the DMET (Director of Medical Education and Training). He dismissed the opposition’s disruptions as “reprehensible,” urging them to engage in constructive debate rather than stalling Question Hour.

Congress Demands Heads Must Roll

The Congress party, however, remained unimpressed by the government’s reshuffle of mid-level staff. Congress MLA Ashok Das accused the state of “sacrificing small employees” to protect the powerful.

“The government is hiding its own failures by targeting subordinates while shielding those truly responsible,” Das argued. “Offering ex-gratia payments is not enough when 13 people are dead. We demand the immediate suspension of the Medical Superintendent and the resignation of the Health Minister. The House is being conducted in a reckless manner that ignores the gravity of this tragedy.”

As the Assembly remains deadlocked, the central question remains: will the judicial inquiry pinpoint systemic failures, or will the “filtering” of staff be the only consequence of Odisha’s worst hospital disaster in recent memory?

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Minister Alleges Wasteful Spending in BJD’s ‘Nua-O’ Youth Initiative

OdishaConnect — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:08:01 +0000

In the Odisha Assembly on Friday, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj strongly criticised the former BJD government for what he called “pouring money like water” on the Nua O programme. The scheme, designed to engage youth in cultural and sports activities, involved an expenditure of ₹261 crore, raising questions about fiscal prudence.

Breakdown of Expenditure

While replying to queries in the House, Suraj presented a detailed account of the spending under Nua O:

₹14 crore spent on T-shirt distribution
₹92 crore allocated for sports and cultural events
₹70 crore for district-level festivals
₹56 crore for sports competitions

The minister highlighted that these allocations collectively amounted to ₹261.63 crore, sparking fresh debate about Odisha’s financial priorities.

Debate Over Value of the Programme

The Nua O initiative was launched during the BJD’s tenure with the stated goal of promoting creativity and physical fitness among Odisha’s youth. However, critics argue that the programme emphasised showmanship over substance, and failed to create long-term value.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

Minister Suraj assured the Assembly that if credible complaints of financial irregularities surface, the government will conduct a full investigation.

“We will investigate any case of wrongdoing without delay, if and when such allegations occur,” he said.

This statement suggests the possibility of an audit into the scheme’s implementation.

Political Reactions Intensify

The revelations have fuelled a sharp political confrontation. Opposition leaders defend the programme as a genuine effort to empower young talent, while the ruling side labels it as wasteful expenditure.

With Odisha still grappling with post-pandemic challenges and urgent infrastructure needs, the debate over Nua O underscores the tension between youth welfare and budgetary discipline.

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