Odisha Assembly: Heated Discussions on SC/ST Reservations, PESA Act, and Surplus Rice Issues

Opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress targeted the BJP-led government on issues like reservations for SC/ST and backward classes, the implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), the closure of various welfare schemes, and problems related to surplus rice procurement. In response, BJP MLAs defended the government’s initiatives and accused the opposition of politicising the matters.

The session began with BJD MLA Ramesh Behera alleging significant cuts and layoffs in the SC/ST Department. He claimed the government is planning to shut down the Anwesha scheme, which supports SC/ST students, and the Akanksha scheme for college-going SC/ST students in the upcoming financial year. Additionally, scholarships under the health worker mission have been discontinued, and residential hostels are in a dilapidated state. Behera accused the government of systematically dismantling existing welfare programs through these austerity measures.

Echoing similar concerns, BJD MLA Ganeshwar Behera criticised the government for lacking empathy toward tribals. He pointed out that SC/ST communities are not receiving their entitled 40% reservation in higher education fields like engineering and medicine, while backward classes get no reservations at all in these sectors. “This is a grave injustice,” he said, comparing it to Tamil Nadu’s 69% reservation policy. Behera demanded clear answers from the government instead of vague assurances like “we are trying” or “we are considering.” He urged the immediate implementation of 40% reservation for SC/ST and 27% for backward classes in engineering and medical education. Furthermore, he accused the government of ignoring Supreme Court directives by assigning investigations into SC/ST atrocity cases to sub-inspectors instead of DSP-level officers. Behera also called for the enforcement of the PESA Act, which was proposed during the previous regime, and the formation of a commission for backward classes and minorities. He insisted that the Anwesha scheme should continue until 2029 and that the minister announce admissions for children in the House.

On the food supply front, BJD MLA Niranjan Pujari highlighted the issue of 13 lakh quintals of surplus rice remaining unprocured, causing headaches for the state. He noted that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is not lifting rice as per norms, leading to delays in paddy procurement and potential losses of Rs 300 crore in gunny bag purchases. Pujari suggested that the departmental minister and secretary discuss the matter with the central government to resolve it, emphasising ongoing talks in the Assembly’s standing committee.

Congress MLA CS Raazen Ekka reminded the House that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had promised PESA implementation during their visits to Odisha. However, he alleged a lack of sincerity post-election, with land allocations occurring without Gram Sabha approvals, leading to displacement and exploitation. Ekka cited the 2024 CAG report, which highlighted land acquisitions ignoring Gram Sabha consents, and noted that good governance reports have not reached the Governor since 2011.

Congress MLA Dasarathi Gamango praised past Congress initiatives for tribal welfare, accusing the BJD government of “painting everything blue” and the current BJP regime of “painting it saffron.” He recalled the UPA government’s Garib Kalyan Yojana, which provided 25 kg of rice to the poor, compared to the BJD’s 5 kg, which he linked to their electoral defeat. With a “double engine” government now in place, Gamango demanded an increase to 15-20 kg of rice per beneficiary.

Countering the opposition’s allegations, BJP MLA Ashwini Sarangi stated that the Food Supplies Department’s budget allocation has increased by 28% compared to last year. “Farmers are happy in the state now, which is why the opposition BJD and Congress are unhappy,” he quipped. Sarangi accused the previous government of distributing ration cards based on party affiliations, including to ineligible recipients like those with two-story houses or youth receiving old-age pensions. He emphasised that the current administration is ensuring cards reach genuine beneficiaries. Additionally, he highlighted the lack of mandi infrastructure and warehouses under the previous regime, noting that the BJP government is utilising 126 owned warehouses with a capacity of 6.72 lakh metric tons.

Other participants in the discussion included BJP MLAs Raghuram Mach, Pratap Chandra Nayak, Rupu Bhatra, and Om Prakash Mishra, as well as BJD MLA Romanch Ranjan Biswal.

The session underscored ongoing tensions between the ruling and opposition parties on tribal welfare and food security, with calls for immediate action on reservations, scheme continuations, and central-state coordination.