Odisha’s BJP Govt Makes U-Turn on Decision to Rename “Biju Patnaik Sports Award”

Bhubaneswar: The BJP government in Odisha had to step back from its decision to rename the prestigious “Biju Patnaik Sports Award,” as “Odisha Rajya Krida Samman”.

Speaking to the media at Lok Seva Bhawan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the Biju Patnaik Sports Award will continue like in the past and there is no plan to change it.

Former Chief Minister of Odisha, freedom fighter and a great leader of national stature, Biju Patnaik, is the father of the leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik.

Chief Minister Majhi said he came to know about the renaming from media reports. He added that his government honours the legendary sons of the soil and Biju Babu will forever be remembered for his contribution to Odisha as well as the nation in both political and other spheres. The Odisha CM declared that the Biju Patnaik Sports Award will continue.”

On July 19, the sports and youth services department came up with a notification stating that the ‘Biju Patnaik Sports Award’ that was instituted in 2001-02 has been renamed as ‘Odisha Rajya Krida Samman’ with an increase in the cash award from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.3 lakh.

This move was criticized by the public as well as opposition parties in Odisha.