Vidhan Parishad: State may go Telangana way

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Bhubaneswar: A government-constituted committee that visited other states before suggesting measures to the state government on formation of Odisha Legislative Council will submit its report to the government very soon. The team returned Wednesday after it inspected formation and functioning of legislative councils (Vidhan Parishads) in Bihar and Telangana,
Speaking to mediapersons here, commerce and transport minister and chairman of the panel, Nrushingha Charan Sahu, said they held discussions with the chairman and other officials of the Telangana Vidhan Parishad. Prior to this, the team had visited Bihar. Very soon the panel will submit its report to the government, he said.
“The Telangana government first constituted the Vidhan Sabha and then, it passed a resolution to form a Vidhan Parishad. In Odisha we have a similar situation. We studied their resolution and details on how it can be passed in the Assembly. We may think of a similar resolution for Odisha,” Sahu said.
In January 2015, the state government had formed a six-member committee to visit various states to study the formation and functions of Vidhan Parishads. The other members of the panel are Manohar Randhari (BJD), Pramila Mallik (BJD), Bhujabal Majhi (Congress), Nitish Gangadeb (BJP). Later, Majhi and Gangadeb expressed unwillingness to visit the two states. Earlier, the panel had visited Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Reacting to the development, Congress leader Suresh Routray said, “With the Vidhan Parishad decision, the government is trying to please those who could not be adjusted in the present set-up and have started working against the ruling party’s interest. However, we welcome the decision.”
BJP legislator Pradip Purohit said, “The Vidhan Parishad will be a rehabilitation centre for those BJD leaders,” he alleged. However, BJD spokesperson Samir Das said, “The Vidhan Parishad will be formed as per the provision made in our Constitution. If opposition parties are saying this then people who wrote our Constitution are wrong, it is unfortunate.”
According to sources, the Council, when formed, will have 49 seats. The BJD will bring the matter to the floor of the Assembly and pass a resolution in this regard with the help of 100 MLAs in the monsoon session. After that, it will be sent to the Centre for its approval, they added.