The State Government has decided to observe former Biju Patnaik’s birth centenary for a whole year from March 5, 2016 (birthday) to April 17, 2017 (death anniversary). The Government decided to constitute a high-level committee which would chalk out plans for smooth observance of the birth centenary.
The decision was taken at a Ministerial committee meeting held at the State Secretariat under chairmanship of Information and Public Relations Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak. Culture Minister Ashok Panda, School and Mass Education Minister Debi Mishra, Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma and Panchayati Raj Minister Aruna Sahoo were present. It may be noted the State Assembly recently passed a resolution to place a demand before the Union Government for observance of Biju birthday nationwide and conferring of the Bharat Ratna posthumously.