The State Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal that would prevent elected Zilla Parishad and urban local bodies (UlBs) members to switch over to other political parties during their tenures.
As per the approved proposal, the Odisha Zilla Parishad Act 1991, the Odisha Municipal Act 1950 and the Odisha Municipal Corporation Act 2003 would be amended with provisions of anti-defection law during the coming Winter Session of the State Assembly.
Under the existing three-tier Panchayati Raj system, political parties field their candidates in the Zilla Parishad elections with their respective party symbols. There is no provision of cancellation of membership if anyone switches over to other parties. “Earlier there was no provision in case of a defection. Now, the Cabinet has approved amendments and these would be sent to the Assembly making of law. Four sub-sections, 33(b), 33(c), 33 (d) and 33(iv) will be inserted,” said Panchayati Raj Secretary Deo Ranjan Singh after the Cabinet meeting.
He said that after amendment is effected, if an elected candidate of a political party voluntarily resigns from the party, his/her membership in the Parishad would be cancelled. Besides, if a member works against the wishes of his/her party supremo by casting votes in the election of the president, vice-president or standing committee, he/she would cease to qualify as the member, informed Singh.
The same provision would also be applicable to an elected Independent member also, he said.
Similar amendments would be effected in the Odisha Municipality Act and the Municipal Corporation Act. Councillors and Corporators would face similar consequence if they switch over to other political parties during their tenures.
Besides, the Cabinet approved 22 other proposals at the meeting held under chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat.
A proposal on allotment of land without any charges for setting up of the second campus of the NIRTAR in Balangir district was approved. It also approved allotment of 3.55 acre for establishment of the proposed STPI in Rourkela.
A proposal on issuance of identity cards to all servitors of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri also got nod of the Cabinet. The meeting too decided to impose restrictions during Paramanik Darshan at the temple in order to avoid heavy rush. Similarly, two police aid-posts would be erected inside the Shreemandir.
The Cabinet too approved a proposal of the Irrigation department for setting up of three mega projects, which would be completed within 30 months.
A proposal to effect changes in the Odisha District Planning Committee Act 1998 was also cleared. As per this proposal, a woman would at least hold one of the committee’s two chief posts, Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Similarly, a Minister or an MlA would be the Chairman of the committee.
The District Planning Committee would have 80 per cent elected members of which 50 per cent would be reserved for women.
Two proposals from Health department were also approved. The guideless for setting up of private health clinics were relaxed to some extent.