Committee submits report to Odisha govt on Legislative Council

Bhubaneswar: The special committee formed to study the procedure of formation and style of functioning of the Legislative Councils in other states on Friday submitted its report to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The committee headed by Transport Minister Nrusingha Charan Sahu submitted the report to the Chief Minister.

The committee had visited Telangana and Bihar to study the functioning of the Legislative Councils last month. Earlier, the panel had visited Maharashtra and Karnataka states in 2015 for the same purpose.

Sources said the committee in its seven-page report has recommended that the size of the legislative council should be one-third of the size of the state Assembly.

Since the total member of the legislative assembly of Odisha is 147, the committee recommended forming the legislative council with 49 members.

It also recommended the same perks and benefits being enjoyed by the elected MLAs in the state.

Sources said the state government is likely to move a bill in this regard in the ensuing monsoon session of the assembly.