Bhubaneswar, August 28: Odisha will host a two-day National Conference of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Parliamentary Committee on August 29 and 30. The meet will be inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and will focus on strengthening welfare, development, and empowerment measures for SCs and STs.
The central theme of the conference is “Role of Parliamentary and Legislative Committees in Welfare, Development, and Empowerment of SCs and STs.” Deliberations will cover constitutional safeguards, socio-economic progress, and sharing of best practices to advance the rights and opportunities of marginalized communities.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Union Ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, along with over 120 delegates from across the country, are scheduled to participate.
Significantly, this marks the first meeting of a Parliamentary Committee in Odisha since 1994. The conference will also showcase an exhibition on the state’s handicrafts, art, culture, and artisanship, accompanied by cultural performances. Post-conference, delegates will visit the Konark Sun Temple and seek blessings at Lord Jagannath’s shrine in Puri.
The valedictory session will be addressed by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Khambampati, Speaker Om Birla, and state ministers. The conclave aims to reinforce accountability in policy implementation and contribute towards building an inclusive Viksit Bharat by 2047.
