Odisha Assembly Passes Rs 95,000 Crore Vote-on-Account Bill Amid Opposition Walkout

The Odisha Assembly has passed the Odisha Appropriation (Vote-on-Account No.2) Bill, 2024, allowing the government to withdraw Rs 95,000 crore for August and September 2024. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the Bill amid protests from the Opposition. The funds will cover essential government schemes, capital and revenue expenditure, and emergency work.

The Odisha Assembly on Wednesday passed the Odisha Appropriation (Vote-on-Account No.2) Bill, 2024, authorising the state government to withdraw Rs 95,000 crore from the Consolidated Fund for use in August and September this year.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also oversees the finance department, presented the Bill. Despite protests and a walkout by Opposition members from the BJD and Congress, the Bill was passed by a voice vote.

This marks the second Vote-on-Account passed within the current financial year, the first being approved in February. Majhi explained that the funds will cover essential government schemes and emergency work, with allocations for revenue and capital expenditure, disaster management, social security, pensions, judiciary, and elections. The session was adjourned until August 20 following the Bill's passage.

(With inputs from agencies.)