Bhubaneswar: The budget session of Odisha Assembly, beginning Thursday, is expected to start on a stormy note as the opposition parties have geared up to corner the BJD government on several issues.
The House will be conducted in two phases- from February 18 to February 27 and March 12 to April 9. The budget will be tabled on February 22.
Following an improvement in the COVID-19 situation, this session will have question hour and zero hour sessions, which will allow the MLAs to raise questions of urgent public importance.
Also Read: Budget Session Of Odisha Assembly To Have Question & Zero Hour: Speaker
While the opposition is expected to turn the heat on the government with farmers’ agitation and Kotia border dispute, the ruling BJD has also prepared a strategy to counter them.
Besides central negligence to Odisha and shortfall in revenue due to GST, the party is likely to raise the Railway Budget allocation to Odisha this year.
TIGHT SECURITY & TRAFFIC CURBS
Security has been beefed up with 30 platoons of the police force being deployed around the assembly and the secretariat.
A police team will also remain on standby with blankets and water to prevent any suicide attempts. The winter session had seen three such bids.
The traffic restrictions imposed by the Twin City Commissionerate Police on roads approaching the assembly are as follows:
>> The stretch between Raj Bhawan to MLA colony and Rabindra Mandap Square has been restricted. Commuters have to take a detour through Sastri Nagar to reach their destination.
>> Vehicles from 120-Battalion square will be diverted via PowerHouse Square.
>> Commuters coming from AG Square to PMG will have to take a right turn from Jayadev Bhawan and proceed on Indira Gandhi Park road.
>> While Master Canteen-Lower PMG stretch is open for commuters, they can’t move towards Mahatma Gandhi Marg using this road. They will be diverted from Upper PMG.
>> Commuters coming from Housing Board will have to take a left turn from Keahsari Square to head towards their destination.
The curbs, however, are not applicable for vehicles visiting assembly, state secretariat and other government offices, police said.
Also Read: Tight Security To Thwart ‘Possible’ Suicide Bids During Budget Session Of Odisha Assembly
