Cabinet approves proposal for dissolution of Assembly

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Bhubaneswar, May 19: The State Cabinet on Saturday accorded approval to a proposal for formally recommending to Governor for the dissolution of the 15th Legislative Assembly with a request to do it soon after the ongoing election process is over.

The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, also discussed and approved the vital proposals pertaining to the ongoing relief and restoration works post Cyclone FANI in the State here.

Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi who briefed the media after the meeting said, “The first agenda of today’s meeting was to recommend the dissolution of Legislative Assembly after the election process is over. It is a formality mandatorily done before the counting of the election results.”

He said the last Assembly was constituted on June 12, 2014. Hence, its term ends on June 11, 2019. Accordingly, this resolution was made today, he informed.

He further said the second agenda was on certain measures taken after the extremely severe cyclone FANI which were apprised to the Cabinet.

Besides, the Cabinet was put forth with certain relaxation proposals that needed approval, he said.

The Chief Secretary said, as the manpower engaged in the restoration works and have done service beyond duty hours, Rs 24 lakh was sanctioned towards their ration allowance at the rate of Rs 200 per person.

He said the Cabinet also approved the rates for vehicles engaged in the electricity restoration work and hired on an emergency basis due to lack of time for tender call.

Padhi said similarly the wages of nearly 10,000 workers, hired from outside the State for restoration work, were put before the Cabinet for approval.