(Source: Representational photo)Ahead of the panchayat polls next year, the Assembly Monday passed Odisha Panchayat Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016 allowing tuberculosis, leprosy patients and visually-challenged, hearing or speech-impaired people to contest rural polls. (Source: Representational photo) Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Sahoo, who piloted the amendment, said the old law had become redundant. Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Sahoo, who piloted the amendment, said the old law had become redundant. The amendment is considered important with panchayat elections scheduled in the state for February next year. Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak had recently told the Assembly that 2.12 lakh people were found to be suffering from leprosy in the state since 2001.

Source: Indian Express May 16, 2016 14:00 UTC