By RABI NARAYAN JENA, OP
Bhubaneswar: With the Monsoon session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA) scheduled to begin September 22, an all-party meeting, chaired by Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, will be held September 21 in order to ensure smooth conduct of the Assembly session.
Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout has informed Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam, BJP member Jayanarayan Mishra and CPI(M) member Laxman Munda about the meeting.
According to the information, the seventh session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly will begin September 22 and will continue until October 3. The 12-day session will have nine working days. Opposition BJD and Congress are working on their strategies to raise various issues in the House.
The Opposition is expected to press its demand for withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Bill recently passed by Parliament. Other issues likely to come up include alleged errors in textbooks, law and order, and matters concerning farmers and women. Opposition Chief Whip Pra mila Mallik said the Opposition had several issues to raise questions during the session.
“We have several issues to raise, beginning with our demand for withdrawal of the MMDR Bill, which we believe is against the interests of the state. We will also raise the issue of hundreds of errors in textbooks, besides law and order, farmers and women’s issues,” she said.
Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam said the party would demand withdrawal of the MMDR law, which he alleged had been introduced by the Centre to exploit Odisha’s mineral resources. “We will raise our voice against the MMDR law and demand its withdrawal.
We will also question the government over the supply of error-filled textbooks to students and raise issues concerning farmers, women and the youth,” Kadam said.
On the other hand, Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan of the ruling party said the government would discuss any constructive proposals brought by the Opposition during the short session. “If the Opposition brings any constructive proposals, they will be discussed,” Pradhan said.
