NEW DELHI: Orissa will hereafter be called 'Odisha' and the Oriya language will be known as 'Odia' with Parliament giving approval to amendment of the Constitution and also passing the related bill.
The Lok Sabha today made minor amendments to the Orissa (the Alteration of Name) Bill and the Constitution (113th) Amendment Bill, which have already been approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on November nine last year and sent to Rajya Sabha for concurrence. The Upper House passed it with amendments on March 24 and returned it to the Lower House the same day.
In the division today, 301 members voted in favour of the Constitution amendment bill and none against. Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh piloted the two bills.
Members thumped the desks at the passage of the bill but hardly few MPs from the 14-member strong BJD, which is ruling Odisha, were present.
Immediately after the bills were passed, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House for the day in what appeared to be an understanding between the government and the Opposition which has been protesting against the appointment of Lokayukta in Gujarat by the Governor.
Another legislation, Constitution (111th Amendment) Bill 2009 outlining guidelines for running co-operative societies, was not taken up though it was listed ahead of the bill concerning Odisha.
Several members including those from the Treasury and Opposition benches looked surprised over the abrupt adjournment of the House for the day at around 1220 hours.