Odisha is all set to get a Legislative Council like several other States in the country. A proposal in this regard was approved at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Friday.
A resolution will be brought in the monsoon session of the Assembly beginning September 4 for formation of the Odisha Legislative Council, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha told press persons after the Cabinet meeting.
The Minister said that the proposed Council will have 49 members, which is one-third of the 147-member State Assembly.
The State will have to spend ₹35 crore annually for the Council, the members of which will get salary and allowance as given to the members of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Arukha said.
The Odisha government had set up a committee in 2015 to study the Legislative Councils in other States and recommend for establishment of one in the State.
The committee visited four States-- Bihar, Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka -- for the purpose. It had submitted its report to the Chief Minister on August 3 this year.