Formation Of Odisha Ministry In Violation Of Constitutional Norms: Srikant Jena

Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Srikant Jena on Friday maintained that the council of ministers in Odisha has been formed in gross violation of Constitutional provisions.

Briefing mediapersons here, Jena said as per Constitutional provisions, the SC and ST Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare portfolio in Odisha should remain with a Cabinet minister. But this portfolio has been allotted to a minister of state in contravention of Constitutional norms.

“The BJD leadership has intentionally insulted about 94 per cent of the population by allocating the portfolio of SC and ST Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare to a minister of state,” Jena said. “I demand the swearing-in of the ministers be conducted again.”

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has allotted the portfolio to minister of state Jagannath Saraka.