Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: Responding to a question by BJD MLA Ananta Narayan Jena, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra informed that strict action has been taken against car owners using black-tinted films as the Winter Session of the Odisha Assembly Tuesday witnessed discussions on urban safety, traffic enforcement, and employment gaps in state-run corporations.

According to a report revealed by Mahapatra, between January 4, 2024, and October 31, 2025, a total of 214 vehicles were penalized through e-challans, including 162 in Bhubaneswar alone. As many as 20 car owners paid fines amounting to ₹1 lakh, while prosecution reports against 194 others are pending before magistrates. The minister reiterated that use of black films on four-wheelers is prohibited and violators will face legal consequences.

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Reiterating the Odisha Governement’s stance on unsafe buildings, Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said that all unsafe buildings in Cuttack will be demolished after identification. Informing further, he revealed that a special committee has been formed under the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to survey every ward and mark dangerous structures. “Once the survey is complete, notices will be issued to owners, and demolition will proceed as per regulations,” assured the Minister.

The Assembly also witnessed discussions over employment gaps in government corporations. Mahapatra revealed that 32 corporations currently have 10,264 vacant posts. Major vacancies include 3,261 in the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation (OPTC), 1,163 in Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), 1,150 in Lift Irrigation Corporation (LIC), and 1,112 in Hydro Power Corporation (HPC).

Other corporations such as Odisha Agro Industries, Odisha Seeds, Odisha Construction, and Odisha Road Transport also reported hundreds of unfilled positions. The minister acknowledged the issue and assured that steps are being taken to address manpower shortages.