Cabinet decides to bring resolution for Vidhan Parishad

Bhubaneswar: The State Cabinet that met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today took several important decisions including bringing in a resolution during monsoon session of the State Assembly to expedite formation of Vidhan Parishad in Odisha.

There will be 49 members in the Vidhan Parishad of the State, informed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh after the cabinet meeting.

The monsoon session is scheduled to begin on September 4.

Once the Odisha Assembly approves the resolution, it will be sent for the approval of the Parliament under Article 169 of the Constitution of India.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal on amendment of the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1951 for better administration and management of Hindu Religious institutions. As per the decision, the institutions will get government control during framing of schemes and will have government officers as trustees.

A proposal on amendment to the Odisha Excise Service Rules, 2002 was also approved by the Cabinet. All the posts of Superintendent of Excise, Group –A will be filled up by promotion, it was decided.

The Cabinet also decided to frame the Odisha Medical and Health Services Rules 2018 to regulate recruitment, promotion and conditions for medical officers appointed to the Odisha Medical and Health Service cadre.

A proposal on modification of ‘Kalinga Sikhya Sathi Yojana’ scheme implemented by the Department of Higher Education to provide financial assistance to needy students was also approved. As per the decision, the period of loan repayment was increased from 10 years to 15 years for loans up to Rs 7.50 lakh.

The Cabinet also decided to repeal the Bihar and Odisha Places Of Pilgrimage Act, 1920.