Niranjan Pujari is an Indian advocate-turned-politician. He is one of the senior politicians from West Odisha. Niranjan is known for being soft-spoken and grounded. He has represented the Binka and Sonepur constituencies in Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Niranjan Pujari was born on Tuesday, 31 January 1961 (age 62 years; as of 2023) in Sambalpur, also known as Sonepur, Odisha. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. Niranjan attended Rampur High School (1997) in Odisha. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) degree from Gangadhar Meher University (1981) in Sambalpur, Odisha. In 1984, Niranjan pursued LLB at L. R. Law College in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 70 kg
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Niranjan Pujari with Yogi Adityanath
Family & Caste
Niranjan Pujari belongs to a Hindu Brahmin family in Sambalpur, Odisha. [1]e-Magazine Odisha Government
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Radheshyam (deceased) alias Malu Pujari alias Pujhari.
Wife & Children
Niranjan Pujari is married to Binapani Pujari. He has two daughters.
Religion
Niranjan Pujari follows Hinduism.
Address
Village Rampur, PO/PS Rampur, Dist- Subarnapur, Pin 767045, Odisha
Signature
Niranjan Pujari’s signature
Career
Politics
Niranjan Pujari entered politics when the regional party BJD fought the Odisha Assembly poll for the first time in 2000.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) logo
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Niranjan Pujari started his political journey in 2000 by contesting the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Binka constituency on a ticket from Biju Janta Dal (BJD) party. He won the Odisha Legislative Assembly elections from Binka in 2000. In 2004, he won the 13th Odisha Legislative Assembly elections from the Binka constituency. In 2009, Niranjan won the Odisha Legislative Assembly elections from the Sonepur constituency. He was elected from the Sonepur constituency again in 2014 and 2019. [2]Odisha Assembly
Minister
On 10 May 2011, Niranjan Pujari was appointed as the Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare. He served the post till 2 August 2012. From 10 February 2012 to 2 August 2012, Niranjan served as the Minister of Science and Technology. He held the portfolio of Minister of Industries and Minister of Excise from 2 August 2012 to 21 May 2014. On 7 May 2017, Niranjan was appointed as the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs; he served the post till 28 May 2019. He again served as the Minister of Industries from 7 May 2017 to 2 March 2018. From 3 March 2018 to 28 May 2019, he served as the Minister of Water Resources. He held the portfolio of Minister of Excise from 29 May 2019 to 4 June 2022. On 5 June 2022, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance.
Niranjan Pujari (left) representing Supplementary Budget of the financial year 2012-2022 as the Finance Minister in the Odisha Legislative Assembly
Niranjan became the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs on 5 June 2022. [3]Odisha Assembly Following the death of the Health and Family Welfare Minister of Odisha, Naba Kishore Das, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was allotted to Niranjan Pujari in 2023; Naba Das was shot dead at Brajrajnagar in the Jharsuguda district of Odisha on 29 January 2023. [4]The Times of India
Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly
On 26 May 2014, Niranjan Pujari was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Niranjan Pujari (left) as the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly
In 2017, he resigned from his post soon after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the re-shuffle of the council of ministers. Niranjan refused to disclose the reason behind his resignation to the media; however, in an interview, he mentioned that he wanted to devote more time to the people of his constituency. [5]The Times of India
Committee Membership
Niranjan Pujari held membership in many committees including the Committee on Public Undertakings (2000-2001), House Committee on Rehabilitation (2002-2003), Committee on Members’ Amenities (2005-2006), Select Committee on the Orissa Excise Bill, 2005 (2006-2007), and House Committee on Railways (2012-2013). He served as the chairman of some committees including the Standing Committee on Energy, Revenue and Excise (2006-2008). [6]Odisha Assembly
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Cash: Rs. 9,54,885.94
- Bank Deposits: Rs. 67,97,400.5
- LIC/Other Insurance Policies: Rs. 18,96,410
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 10,90,610
- Jewellery: Rs. 18,72,800
Immovable Assets
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 39,77,732
- Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 2,79,645
- Residential Buildings: Rs. 75,10,600
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2019. It excludes the assets owned by his wife and dependents (minor). [7]MyNeta
Net Worth
Niranjan Pujari’s net worth for the financial year 2019 was estimated to be Rs. 2 crores. [8]MyNeta It excludes the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Facts/Trivia
- As an advocate, Niranjan Pujari is inclined towards learning laws.
- He is associated with many aid organisations including ‘UTSARGA,’ a blood donation association in Sambalpur, Odisha and ‘Nikhila Orissa Chhatra Andolon.’ He serves as the president of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, a private special education school in Rampur, Odisha.
- He served as the Director of Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).
- Niranjan Pujari actively takes part in cultural activities and is a member of Gangadhar Meher Sahitya Ekademic in Rampur, Odisha.
- Niranjan has an inclination towards sports and clubs; he is an ex-member of Sambalpur University’s football team.
References
