The Odisha Legislative Assembly concluded its ongoing budget session earlier than scheduled, adjourning sine die. The session, the sixth of the 17th Odisha Assembly, which began on February 17, was supposed to end on April 8 with 28 working days planned. However, it wrapped up after 22 working days on Tuesday night.
During the session, the House deliberated on five adjournment motions put forth by opposition leaders. Additionally, two official bills were approved, and a controversial legislation regarding salaries and allowances, passed earlier, was formally withdrawn.
On the final day, the House passed the appropriation bill, enabling the government to utilize Rs 3.10 lakh crore from the state’s consolidated fund for 2026-27. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, also the finance minister, had presented the annual budget during the first phase of the session on February 20.
Throughout the Budget Session, there were disruptions by opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, particularly concerning the tragic fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on March 16, which resulted in 12 fatalities. The House also witnessed uproar over alleged disrespectful comments by BJP Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey towards former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and irregularities in paddy procurement in Odisha.
Opposition protests on various issues led to the House proceedings being stalled for multiple days, with demands for the Health Minister’s resignation over the SCB Medical College fire incident reiterated by the BJD and Congress.
