The seventh session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly begins on Tuesday, September 22, with the Opposition preparing to raise several issues, including the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 and errors in school textbooks.
The Monsoon Session is scheduled to continue till October 3. According to the Assembly schedule, it will have nine business days, with a holiday and two no-meeting days. Notices for six Bills had been received ahead of the session.
All-party meeting held ahead of session
Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy chaired an all-party meeting on Monday to seek cooperation from ruling and Opposition members for the smooth functioning of the House.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Deputy Leader of Opposition Prasanna Acharya, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik and Congress Legislature Party Deputy Leader Ashok Das, among others, attended the meeting.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the government was ready to discuss issues raised by the Opposition. He also said the Assembly had received notices for six Bills, while the Advisory Committee would decide their priority and allot time for discussion.
MMDR Amendment Act likely to dominate proceedings
The Opposition is preparing to seek a discussion on the MMDR Amendment Act, with the BJD and Congress raising concerns over its implications for Odisha.
BJD Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik said the party had submitted a motion seeking a detailed discussion on the alleged losses suffered by Odisha because of the amendment. The Congress has also indicated that it will raise issues concerning the state’s interests, including the MMDR Act.
BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had earlier urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene a special session and pass a unanimous resolution seeking repeal of the amendment.
Patnaik argued that the amendment could have significant financial implications for Odisha and alleged that it affects the state’s constitutional powers concerning taxation of mineral wealth and mineral-bearing land.
Textbook errors another key issue
Errors in school textbooks are also expected to come up during the session.
The issue has triggered protests by students and youth organisations, while the BJD and Congress have indicated that they will raise it in the Assembly.
The state government has meanwhile started distributing corrected textbooks. Around 45,000 corrected books were distributed on the first day in areas including Bhubaneswar, Kataka, Jatani, Salepur and Nischintakoili.
According to an OMMCOM report, officials have identified 1,678 errors across 55 textbooks for Classes I to VIII. The reported errors include factual mistakes, incorrect geographical references, a wrong photograph used to identify the Odisha Assembly and an incorrect sequence in the introduction of the Odia alphabet.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond has said proofreading is underway and that steps are being taken to ensure corrected and error-free textbooks reach students.
Short session, packed agenda
With the session running for less than two weeks, the Opposition and government are expected to seek time for discussions on several issues.
The session also comes with enhanced security arrangements around the Assembly premises. Odisha Police has planned a three-layer security system, with personnel deployed inside and around the Assembly complex, along with rooftop surveillance and anti-sabotage checks.
The proceedings are therefore set to combine legislative business, including consideration of Bills, with Opposition demands for discussions on issues concerning Odisha’s finances, education and governance.
