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Politics
BJD threatens Supreme Court action over MMDR amendments if Odisha assembly stays silent
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 05:42 PM
👁 4
BJD leader Pratap Jena warned that the party will approach the Supreme Court should the Odisha assembly not formally oppose the BJP‑led government's recent changes to the MMDR Act.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) spokesperson Pratap Jena announced on Thursday that the party is prepared to file a petition in the Supreme Court if the Odisha Legislative Assembly fails to register an official objection to the recent amendments to the Model Medical Devices Regulation (MMDR) Act introduced by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The MMDR amendments, which aim to streamline the approval process for medical devices, have drawn criticism from opposition parties who argue that the changes could compromise safety standards and bypass necessary legislative scrutiny.
Jena emphasized that the BJD, as the principal opposition in the state, views the lack of a formal assembly vote as a breach of democratic procedure. He added that the party will explore all legal avenues to ensure that the amendments undergo proper parliamentary debate.
The BJD's stance underscores the growing tension between the state opposition and the central government over health‑related legislation, a sector that has gained heightened attention amid the post‑pandemic recovery.
No response has yet been recorded from the BJP or the Odisha assembly speaker regarding the BJD's warning.
The MMDR amendments, which aim to streamline the approval process for medical devices, have drawn criticism from opposition parties who argue that the changes could compromise safety standards and bypass necessary legislative scrutiny.
Jena emphasized that the BJD, as the principal opposition in the state, views the lack of a formal assembly vote as a breach of democratic procedure. He added that the party will explore all legal avenues to ensure that the amendments undergo proper parliamentary debate.
The BJD's stance underscores the growing tension between the state opposition and the central government over health‑related legislation, a sector that has gained heightened attention amid the post‑pandemic recovery.
No response has yet been recorded from the BJP or the Odisha assembly speaker regarding the BJD's warning.