Monsoon Session of Odisha House witnesses ruckus over textbook errors, mines Act

The Odisha Monsoon Session of the Assembly kicked off with a heated debate over two major issues—the flawed preparation of school textbooks and the controversial Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The Opposition, composed of the Biju Janata Dal and Congress, repeatedly interrupted proceedings, demanding accountability from the Mohan Majhi government.

The BJD specifically called for the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, alleging that his office distributed textbooks riddled with errors, well into the halfway point of the academic year. Corrected textbooks have since been released, but the government faced intense scrutiny for the delayed remediation.

Meanwhile, Congress members argued that the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, infringed upon the State's authority over its mineral resources. They demanded the withdrawal of the amendments and an investigation into the potential revenue loss resulting from their implementation. This led to a significant disruption in the proceedings, prompting Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the session following a vociferous protest by the Opposition.

Following the heated debate, the BJD took its grievances to the streets, organizing a demonstration at Lower PMG Square, outside the State Assembly building. The Monsoon Session of the Odisha Assembly is set to continue until October 3, during which time the government plans to introduce six new Bills.