Orissa will hereafter be called 'Odisha' and Oriya becomes 'Odia' with the publication of a gazette notification by the Central government in this regard.
The gazette notification follows the adoption of the Orissa (the Alteration of Name) Bill and the Constitution (113th) Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on September 6 with some minor modification. The bills were earlier approved by the Rajya Sabha. While 301 members voted in favour of the Constitution amendment bill, none opposed. Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh piloted the two bills. The Orissa (the Alteration of Name) Bill was initially passed by Lok Sabha on 9 November last year and sent to Rajya Sabha for concurrence.
