Odisha Assembly passes resolution to set up Council

Amid walk out by opposition Congress and BJP members, Odisha Assembly Thursday passed a resolution for setting up a Legislative Council in the state.

Speaker P K Amat announced that the resolution was passed as it got support of 104 of the 147 members of the Assembly while opposition Congress and BJP stayed away from the House.

Before going to vote, the Speaker sent two ministers - Prafulla Samal and Ananta Das - to request opposition members to return to the House and participate in the voting. As they turned down the request, a voting was conducted.

After casting the first vote in favour of the proposed legislative council, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said: "Odisha has picked up growth momentum and to further accelerate growth, wider consultations are necessary. In this context legislative council will be of great help."
Appealing the state government to reconsider its decision for setting up a legislative council, Sighdeo said: "It may prove costly for the state in the long run."