Bhubaneswar, 22 September (H.S.): The seventh session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly will commence today and continue until October 3, with the Opposition preparing to raise a range of issues and corner the government during the short-duration Monsoon Session.

According to the schedule, the session will have nine business days, besides one holiday and two ‘No Meeting Days’. As many as six Bills are likely to be introduced during the session.

Ahead of the commencement of the session, Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy chaired an all-party meeting on Monday to seek the cooperation of all parties for the smooth and orderly conduct of House proceedings.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Speaker Bhawani Shankar Bhoi, Opposition Deputy Leader Prasanna Acharya, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, Congress Legislature Party Deputy Leader Ashok Das and other senior leaders attended the meeting.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of preparations by Opposition parties to raise several issues concerning the state during the session. Given the limited number of sittings, several contentious matters are expected to figure prominently in the proceedings.

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, is expected to be among the key issues raised by the Opposition.

Odisha Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Sunday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene a special session of the Assembly and pass a unanimous resolution seeking repeal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.

Patnaik has argued that the amendment affects Odisha’s constitutional rights relating to taxation of mineral wealth. The demand is expected to add to the political debate over the implications of the amended mining legislation for the mineral-rich state.

Apart from the MMDR Amendment Act, Opposition parties have prepared to raise several other issues, including alleged errors in school textbooks. The issue is expected to draw attention during the session as members seek clarification from the government.

With the Opposition planning to raise these matters and the government set to defend its position, the nine-day business schedule is likely to see discussions on a range of legislative and public-interest issues.

The session will continue until October 3, providing the government and Opposition an opportunity to present their respective positions on matters concerning Odisha and its people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda