By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Legislative Assembly passed the Odisha State Commission For Backward Classes (Amendment) Bill, 2020. State Cabinet approved the amendment of the Bill on Monday in the morning, State Assembly also passed the bill in a lightning speed in order to empower the Backward Commission to take up the required Survey later in the day.
After the Bill was passed in a voice vote, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was happy to present a resolution and termed the passage of Bill as Historic One. Patnaik said “I propose this historic resolution to this August House that the State will do a Survey of Social and Educational Conditions of the People belonging to the Backward Classes.”The Odisha House passed the Resolution unanimously.
The Bill was presented by Jagannath Saraka, Minister, ST, SC and OBC Development in the House for discussion and passing.Opposition Members from both Congress and BJP, Tara Prasad Bahainipati, Santosh Singh Saluja and Mohan Majhi urged to give some time to read and understand the provisions of the Bill.Minister Parliamentary Affairs, Bikram Kesari Arukha cited examples as to how many Bills were presented and passed in a single day.
Congress Member Narasingha Mishra came to the rescue of the Treasury Bench and said as the Budget will be presented on 18 February, no Bills will be allowed to present in the House.
After deliberations the Bill was passed on Voice Vote, paving the way for the Backward Commission to take up Survey of Social and Educational Conditions of the people belonging to the Backward Classes as may be decided by the State Government from time to time.
Treasury Bench Members citied various points as to how the Backward Classes, being 54 Percent Population in the State are not adequately represented in Government Service, Banking Sector and even Educational Institutions.
BJD Members, PK Deb, Prafulla Samal, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Congress Members, Suresh Kumar Routray, participated in the discussion.
