Bhubaneswar, Jan 21: The House Committee constituted by Odisha Assembly will initiate steps for protecting and propagating Odia culture overseas.

A meeting of the House Committee convened on January 20 has decided to visit states like Andhra, Karnataka and Chhatisgarh to protect and propagate Odia language, tradition and culture.

Seven sub-committees have been formed to achieve the target. The sub- committees will study the potential of Odia culture among the Odia people residing in Odisha’s neighbouring states.

Government Chief Whip Pramila Mallik will lead the sub-committee formed for Andhra. Deputy speaker Rajanikant Sing will man the sub-committee for Maharastra and Gujurat. Higher Education minister Arun Sahu is to head the sub-committee for Karnataka.

Similarly, MLA Devi Prashad Mishra has been assigned to head the sub-committee for Telengana. Amar Prashad Satpathy is designated to chair the sub-committee for Chhatisgarh. MLA Ananta Das will lead the sub-committee for West Bengal.Labour Minister Sushanta Singh will lead the committee for Jharkhand.

The sub-committees will visit Odia speaking tracts in neighbouring states to study the standard of living and other linguistic problems of the Odia population.

The sub-committees will place their report before the House Committee which will recommend next plan of action to the government.