Political parties ready for a warm winter session of Odisha Assembly

Bhubaneswar: The winter session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly will commence from November 16 (Friday). The ruling BJD and the Opposition have braced up to corner each other over several issues.

According to a notification in this regard, the winter session will have 23 working days and conclude on December 15.

The BJD is ready to raise the long standing demand for special category status to the state and increasing fuel price.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the President of the BJD, said: “The ruling party will raise issues concerning Odisha’s long standing demand for special category status and fuel price rise.

“We are ready to reply all the issues to be raised by the opposition,” he added.

On the other hand, the opposition Congress and BJP have decided to raise farmers issues as the main agenda in the assembly.

The farmers are demanding pension, prestige and hike in msp of paddy and other crops.

“We have a lot of issues concerning farmers, drought, Konark temple, unemployment, law and order and others,” said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress.

BJP MLA Pradip Purohit said the party will raise the issues of corruption, delay in the appointment of Lokayukta, rampant percentage commission, deteriorating law and order situation, violence against women and hooliganism by Biju Yuva Vahini members.

During the session, the state government will place important bills in the Assembly, which have been approved by the State Cabinet in its recent meetings.

Meanwhile, State DGP RP Sharma said security arrangements will be beefed up for the winter session of the assembly.

“Around 30 platoons of the armed police force would be deployed in and around the Assembly. A total of 100 police officers would be engaged to monitor the security. Besides, the Quick Action Team (QAT) and the anti-terrorist squad will also be deployed during the session,” the top cop added.