The State Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution for creation of an Odisha Legislative Council (OLC) through a voting amid strong protests and walkouts by members of Opposition parties, Congress and BJP.
“The State is developing rapidly. To make the process still faster, more thoughts and intellectuality are needed; and a State Legislative Council will help in this regard,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after the resolution was passed.
Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh had moved a motion on creation of an OLC in the House and intended it to be discussed and passed unanimously.
He said a committee headed by Minister Dr Nrusingha Sahoo had studied functioning of SLCs and interacted with their Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons and members in four States, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Bihar, and submitted a report to the Chief Minister recommending establishment of a SLC in Odisha. The proposal has already been approved by the State Cabinet.
He said, “A State Legislative Council is needed for strengthening the lawmaking system, furthering good governance and, after all, for people’s welfare.”
He informed that aminimum of 40 members or one-third of the number of MLAs are required for running of the proposed Legislative Council.
Accordingly, the proposed OLC would have 49 members and they would comprise 16 members to be elected by MLAs, 16 members to be elected by ZP, Panchayat Samiti and ULB representatives, four to be elected by collegiums of graduates, four to be elected by a collegiums of secondary and higher secondary teachers and the rest nine members to be nominated by the Governor from the fields of literature, science, art, cooperation and social sector.
Presently, the OLC can operate in the Sardal Patel Hall (Old Assembly) located in the capital city. Similarly, members of both the Houses (OLA and OLC) can be addressed by the Governor in the large Assembly conference hall, Arukh said. He said Rs 35 crore would be spent per year for running the OLC.
However, Congress and BJP members opposed the move, saying the Legislative Council would be a rehabilitation Centre for ruling party politicians only.
“How many intellectuals have sent to the Rajya Sabha on behalf of the BJD? Only film actors have been sent. When the State is burdened with a loan over Rs 76,000 crore and hospitals lack doctors and schools lack teachers, the proposal for an OLC is not acceptable,” said Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
Dissatisfied at the Minister’s reply, Congress and BJP members staged walkouts. The resolution was passed though a voting participated by 104 ruling party members.
As per norms, the resolution will be sent to the Parliament for its adoption and the President for its final approval.