The ruling BJD on Thursday expressed confidence to face the challenges from Opposition BJP and Congress during the State Assembly’s Winter Session, which will commence on Friday.
The regional party, which has gained further strength after winning two by-polls in Baleswar and Tirtol, said the State Government intends to push three Ordinances, including the controversial agri-marketing measure, in the House during the session.“We have 10 Bills, including three existing Ordinances, to be passed in the House during this session,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha told reporters after a BJD Legislature Party meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Though the State’s principal opposition party BJP is silent over this re-promulgated Ordinance which allows private investment in agriculture market, Congress has been strongly opposing the move. Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra has said the Ordinance will harm the farmers if there is no provision of imprisonment and penalty for those who indulge in purchase of paddy and other food grains from farmers below the MSP. CM Patnaik, who had attended Assembly Monsoon Session proceeding through videoconferencing, is likely to attend this session also through same medium. He on Thursday addressed BJD MLAs from his Naveen Niwas through digital mode. Patnaik asked all his party MLAs to sincerely participate in the proceedings of House.Arukha said Government would introduce Supplementary Budget on the first day of session.