The state Assembly today passed the much awaited Odisha Official Language (Amendment) Rule, 2016 amid protests from opposition Congress and BJP, who demanded setting up of a commission to ensure proper implementation of the law.
Earlier, the state cabinet had implemented the legislation approving the rules for the purpose on August 12.
The Bill was introduced in the Assembly yesterday by Parliamentary Affairs minister B K Arukha on behalf of the Chief Minister, which was passed today.
Though the opposition Congress and BJP demanded setting up of a commission like the one in Andhra Pradesh to ensure proper implementation of the legislation, the government rejected it saying a committee headed by the Chief Secretary would oversee the implementation part.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said as officers find it difficult to communicate in Odia language, they may hardly ensure proper implementation of the Act. Mishra's amendment proposal was rejected through voice vote.
The House also passed The Odisha Electricity (Duty) Amendment Bill, 2016 which has an objective of revamping the collection process of electricity duty in the state to make it more transparent and professional.
"The amendment of the OED Act will give better justice to the consumers in redrassal of their grievances in changing development scenario," said energy minister Pranab Prakash Das.
Annoyed over passing of the Amendment Bill on official language, Bhasha Suraksha Sammilani chairman Baishnab Parida said "The government has committed a blunder by not setting up the commission to ensure proper implementation the law. Not having punishment provisions will also further push the act into uncertainty."
Parida said the state government amended the Odisha Official Language Act, 1954 after facing criticism and protests from the public.
The government has opened a language division under the chairmanship of a joint secretary, but it should not give the responsibility of implementation of the act to bureaucrats, he added.
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