'Odisha' bill introduced in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, March 15 : The government Monday introduced in the Lok Sabha a constitutional amendment bill that proposes to rename Orissa as Odisha.

A constitutional amendment bill to change the name of the state's language from Oriya to Odia was also introduced in the Lok Sabha.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram introduced the Orissa (alteration of name) Bill 2010 and the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirteenth Amendment) Bill, 2010 in the lower house in the afternoon.

"The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirteenth Amendment Bill), 2010 seeks to change name of the language mentioned in the eighth schedule of the constitution of India from Oriya to Odia," Chidambaram said while introducing the bills.

The bills were introduced after a resolution was passed in the Orissa assembly for the change in the name of the state and its official language from Oriya to Odia on Aug 28, 2008. The central government had given its nod to the proposal in September last year.

Odisha is the ancient name of the state. The name Orissa was adopted in 1950.