MLAs empowered to head district planning bodies in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Cabinet on Saturday decided to amend the Office of Profit (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1961 expanding the scope for MLAs to be appointed to various planning bodies of the state government.

Following the amendment, MLAs can now become chairpersons and vice chairpersons of State and district planning boards and the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), said chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.

The state government will issue an Ordinance to this effect.

The Act would be amended to infuse more dynamism and democratic process to the decision-making of the district planning committees and the Western Odisha Development Council.

It would be amended with an objective of revamping the planning process as well as the development process in the state.

Besides, the state government has decided to take over seven police high schools in Balasore, Angul, Baripada, Keonjhar, Cuttack, Puri and Rourkela. The takeover will cost the state government Rs 10.32 lakhs.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to appoint supervisors of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) through the staff selection commission.