Bhubaneswar: The Orissa Assembly was on Saturday
abruptly adjourned sine die two weeks ahead of schedule after
the House unanimously passed a resolution changing the state`s
name from Orissa to Odisha and its language from Oriya to
Odia.
A motion was suddenly moved by government Chief Whip R N
Pani to adjourn the Winter Session sine die, saying there was
no important business before the House.
Pani moved the motion for adjourning the House sine die
immediately after the Assembly unanimously passed the
resolution to change of the state`s name from Orissa to
Odisha and its language from Oriya to Odia.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty
supported the motion moved by the government chief whip as
entire Opposition rushed to the well in protest.
The motion was accepted by voice vote with Opposition
Congress members going on dharna in the well, dubbing the
government`s move as illegal and undemocratic.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik thanked members for
cooperation in the functioning of the House.
Dismissing government`s claim that no major business was
left, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh said outside the
House that the move was to escape attacks on mining scam.
The Winter Session of the Assembly which began on
November 18 was scheduled to continue till December 19.
PTI
