Odisha Assembly session from July 22, budget to be presented on July 25

Odisha Assembly session: The first session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly is set to commence on July 22, 2024, according to an official statement. As per the official notification, the session will begin with Odisha Governor Raghubar Das' address, which will be followed by a motion of thanks on the governor's address.

As per the schedule, the Odisha budget for 2024-25 will be presented on July 25.

The complete schedule of the Odisha Legislative Assembly's provisional calendar sittings suggests the Governor's Address and a Motion of Thanks on the Governor's Address on July 22.

The announcement in connection with the election of the Deputy Speaker and the discussion on the Motion of thanks on the Governor's address take place on July 23.

The election of the Deputy Speaker will take place on July 24.

The budget for the year 2024-25 will be presented on July 25.

The general discussion on budget will be held on July 29.

The motion on vote on account and discussion on the motion on the vote on account will take place on July 30.

Appropriation Bill on vote on account will be held on July 31.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway ahead of the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra on July 7.

Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain said on Wednesday that President Droupadi Murmu will visit the state on the day of chariot pulling.

"As you know, this year is a very unique Rath Yatra in the sense that all three important rituals are falling on the same day. At the same time, it's challenging and it is a matter of privilege as well. President Droupadi Murmu is also going to visit Puri on the day of the chariot pulling. All the concerned departments are in readiness, and we had several rounds of interdepartmental and coordination meetings," Puri DM told ANI earlier.

He further said that a 225-bed super specialty was set up at the two ends of the grand road for the Rath Yatra.

"Police deployment is massive. Around 28 parking places have been identified for people. Public amenities for people at transit points are also being planned so that people who are coming from different districts and different states can have a temporary resting place," he added.

Puri DM said that the chariot preparations are in this final stage, and in a couple of days we expect them to be completed.

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

The festival, celebrated with great fanfare from New Zealand to London and South Africa encompasses the onward journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi's Temple and culminates with the return journey after eight days.

The festival stretches from the day of Akshaya Tritiya (in April) and culminates with the return of the journey of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Mandir premises.