In Odisha, leprosy patients can now contest rural polls

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Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Sahoo, who piloted the amendment, said the old law had become redundant.

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.

Similarly, 45,814 persons were found suffering from TB in 2015. According to the last Census, about 46,000 people in the state were hearing-impaired and 20,900 speech-impaired.

The amendment is considered important with panchayat elections scheduled in the state for February next year. ens