The Odisha Assembly’s third session and budget session of the 17th Assembly concluded with a monumental achievement, marking a historic day in the state’s legislative history.
The University Amendment Bill 2024 and the State Highways Authority Bill 2025 were passed after extensive debates and discussions, lasting over 20 hours and stretching into the early hours of the morning.
The third and budget sessions of the 17th assembly concluded three working days ago. On the 25th working day of the session, the Odisha University Amendment Bill and the State Highways Authority Bill, introduced by the government, were debated late into the night. Members of the main opposition party, BJD, presented strong arguments against the bills during the debate. In response, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Public Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan addressed the concerns raised about both bills. Ultimately, the bills were passed in both houses. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that this day would be historic and memorable in the Assembly’s history, as it marked the passage of two important bills with participation from both opposition and ruling party members on the last day of the session.
The session of the assembly, often referred to as the holy house of democracy, lasted for about 20 hours and 35 minutes in one day. On the last day of the second phase of the budget session, following extensive debate and an all-night assembly, the Universities (Amendment) Bill, aimed at transforming the higher education sector in Odisha, was passed at 4:29 AM. The State Highways Authority Bill 2025 was approved shortly after, at 6:25 AM.
There was a spirited discussion between the opposition and the ruling party regarding the Universities Bill. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi was present until the end of the session, while the leader of the opposition, Naveen Patnaik, was not in the House. All ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida, remained present until the conclusion of the proceedings.
The Assembly conducted business for 25 out of the 28 working days of this budget session. At 4:29 a.m. on Thursday, the University Amendment Bill was passed, followed by the State Highways Authority Bill after a thorough discussion. Subsequently, the government party chief whip, Saroj Pradhan, moved a motion to adjourn the Assembly indefinitely, citing the absence of any significant agenda. This motion received support from the ruling party MLAs.
The Chief Minister noted that he delivered his speech at the start of the session, which began on February 13. The budget for the financial year 2025-26 has been approved by the Assembly. On the 25th working day, the University Amendment Bill 2024 was passed after a discussion lasting approximately 12 hours and 30 minutes, marking a significant moment in the Assembly’s history. Likewise, the State Highways Authority Bill 2025 was passed just before the session concluded.
Senior members of the opposition party offered numerous constructive suggestions to the government, for which the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Prasanna Acharya stated that the current budget session would be memorable due to two significant events. First, something unprecedented occurred: the Chief Minister was present in the House for an extended period and closely monitored its management. Additionally, Acharya expressed gratitude towards the Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, the government ministers, and all members present. Speaker Surama Padhy also adjourned the House indefinitely after thanking everyone.
Furthermore, senior MLAs from the opposition party, including Ranendra Pratap Swain, Arun Sahoo, Ganeswar Behera, and Dhruba Sahoo, raised strong arguments against the bill. In response, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj provided a robust rebuttal to the opposition. Notably, almost all ministers and MLAs from the ruling party were present during the discussions.
The third session of the seventeenth Assembly was eventful. For the first time in the Assembly’s history, all MLAs from the Congress party were suspended from the House. Moreover, the Assembly held continuous sessions throughout the night while discussing the University Amendment Bill and the State Highway Authority Bill. The discussions started at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday and continued until 7:06 a.m. on Thursday.
