BJD MPs to Raise Issues Of Odisha’s Interests in Parliament As Naveen Patnaik Chairs Meeting Before Budget Session

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday advised party MPs to raise issues concerning the interests of Odisha in the upcoming budget session of parliament.

The Chief Minister, who chaired the BJD Parliamentary party meeting held in Naveen Niwas, discussed the strategy of the party for the budget session, scheduled to commence on January 31, sources said.

The party’s strategy and agenda for the session and issues to be raised in both the houses of parliament were discussed at the meeting. BJD is likely to raise several issues of state interest during the session

BJD MPs are likely raise key issues like the demand for special state status to Odisha, provision of houses to all beneficiaries of the state under PMAY and inclusion of 169 communities as scheduled tribes and passage of women’s reservation bill, sources said.

The regional party parliamentarians are also likely to press for special assistance for permanent resolution of the natural calamities, inclusion of non-violence in the preamble of the Constitution and issues related to farmers welfare and agriculture.

Parliament’s Budget session is slated to begin from January 31 and conclude on April 6, 2023. There will be a total of 27 sittings, spread over 66 days and have the usual recess.  The Union Budget 2023-24 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, they added.