COVID-19: Odisha suspends meetings of all Assembly committees

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government  today suspended all scheduled meetings of various committees of the state Assembly  in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, informed Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro here today.

Speaking to mediapersons, the Assembly Speaker said meetings of several standing committees of the House were held last month. In view of current COVID-19 situation,  the state Government yesterday directed to suspend all committee meetings scheduled in the coming days.

“Both the Ministry of Health and the Odisha Health Department have cautioned that the month of July will be very crucial. The number of positive cases is rising everyday. Taking this into consideration, we took several decisions on behalf the the state Assembly, including suspension of all scheduled meetings,” said the Speaker.

He further said, “The Assembly Session was concluded  in March this year. Accordingly, the Monsoon Session was supposed to be held in August end or September. Discussions are on with the  Speakers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding holding of the Assembly Session. We will act in accordance with the decision to be taken by both the Centre and state  Government.”