Industry Odisha Bureau, Sept 22: The seventh session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly begins today, i.e., September 22, with the Opposition preparing to raise issues regarding the MMDR Amendment Act, flood management, school textbook errors, law and order, and agrarian distress.
The nine-day working Monsoon Session will continue till October 3. The issues expected to dominate the proceedings emerged during an all-party meeting on Monday. Notably, the meeting was chaired by Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with other political leaders, attended the meeting.
The BJD and Congress are expected to seek a discussion on the Centre’s MMDR Amendment Act, 2026. The focus will be on its possible impact on Odisha’s mining revenue. BJD Deputy leader Prasanna Acharya has said that the party will raise the matter from the beginning of the session.
Flood management is another major issue. Opposition is likely to question the government over preparedness, relief, rehabilitation, infrastructure damage and assistance to affected farmers. Paddy procurement, agrarian distress, the Mahanadi dispute and long term flood protection measures are also expected to feature.
The Opposition is also likely to raise alleged errors in school textbooks, along with law and order, women’s safety and tribal issues.
The rescue of five baby orangutans from Balasore may also come up, particularly over the ongoing investigation into their source and suspected trafficking.
The government is also expected to introduce five to six Bills during the session.
