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 Rajya Sabha passed the Orissa (the Alteration of Name) Bill and adopted the Constitution (113th) Amendment Bill after a brief debate with members from all parties hailing the move as historic for people of the state. Supported by all parties,including the Biju Janta Dal,the Constitution Amendment Bill was adopted by all 169 members present and voting. Such a bill requires support of at least two-third of members present and voting. Besides,the majority of the strength of the House should be present for voting. The Upper House has a strength of 245 members. Lok Sabha has already adopted these measures after the Centre received the resolution passed by the Assembly. While there was all round support for the measure,BJP and Congress members sought to target Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik charging him with non-performance and heading a government facing scams.
