CM Majhi launches two books on Speaker Surama Padhy's tenure
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, launched two books documenting the two-year constitutional journey of Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy at the assembly premises in Bhubaneswar. He also inaugurated a new state-of-the-art physiotherapy centre at the assembly complex, set up by the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Context
The two volumes — 'Presiding with Purpose - Two Years Legislative Journey of Speaker Surama Padhy' and 'Two Years of Transformative Leadership Under Speaker Surama Padhy' — chronicle the Speaker's tenure since the BJP came to power in Odisha following the 2024 state assembly elections. CM Majhi, posting in Odia on X, praised Speaker Padhy's 'leadership and vision' in upholding the dignity of the House and democratic values.
The Chief Minister noted that the assembly had achieved 'successful digitisation of the entire legislative process' over the past two years, calling the Speaker's stewardship 'highly commendable.' He described the two books as providing a picture of the 'strong journey of our democracy.'
Policy Backdrop
After the 2024 Odisha assembly elections, the new BJP government made digitisation and procedural modernisation of the legislature a stated priority. The publication of official volumes documenting a presiding officer's tenure is a recurring practice across Indian state legislatures, aimed at preserving institutional memory for researchers, intellectuals, and future generations.
Odisha's push mirrors similar legislative reforms pursued by several other state assemblies in recent years, where digitisation of records, e-voting systems, and paperless session management have been adopted to improve transparency and efficiency.
Stakeholders and Impact
The newly inaugurated physiotherapy centre, established under the Health and Family Welfare Department, will serve current and former members of the legislative assembly, their families, and all assembly staff. CM Majhi specifically highlighted that 'senior representatives in particular will be greatly benefited' by the facility.
The centre represents a targeted welfare measure for a constituency that includes elderly legislators who may require regular physiotherapy. The assembly secretariat and its research wing were commended by the Chief Minister for both the literary initiative and the welfare effort.
What's Next
The two published volumes are expected to serve as reference material for researchers and students of Indian legislative practice. Going forward, the success of the assembly's physiotherapy centre could prompt similar health facilities at other Odisha state government offices. The digitisation outcomes of the assembly's processes are also likely to be formally reviewed as the BJP government approaches the midpoint of its term.