Pratap Jena

Student Politics

Jena joined student politics in 1985 making his debut as the secretary of the Science Society of Ravenshaw College. His reputation as a student leader grew after he was elected president of the students’ union of Madhusudan Law College, Cuttack in 1990–91. He was the president of State Chhatra Janata Dal (student's wing of Janata Dal) from 1992 to 2002, having been appointed to the position by Odisha's legendary leader Late Biju Patnaik.^[6]

Assembly Elections

In 2000, he contested the Odisha Legislative Assembly elections, contesting from Kissan Nagar constituency. He defeated Bira Kishore Parida of INC with a margin of 17,695 votes. He was re-elected from Kissan Nagar in 2004 Assembly elections, defeating Gurupada Nanda of INC by 24,768 votes. In 2009, he was elected for the third time, this time from Mahanga constituency, defeating Shaik Matlub Ali of INC by a margin of 29,220 votes. He became the School and Mass Education minister during this term. He was re-elected from Mahanga in 2014 Assembly elections, defeating Sarada Prasad Pradhan (Independent candidate) by 27,874 votes.

Ministerial Berths

Pratap Jena took oath as Minister of School and Mass Education after his party's victory in the 2009 assembly elections.^[7][8] He continued on this post till August 2012 after which he was replaced as a part of ministerial reshuffle.^[9]

His second stint as a minister came during the party's current tenure in the government. In a major reshuffle of the State Cabinet on May 7, 2017, Jena was assigned the portfolios of Health & Family Welfare and Law departments.^[10] The charge of Information and Public Relations was added to his portfolio during another reshuffle on May 3, 2018.^[11]

Achievements

After taking charge as Minister, there has been a thrust on infrastructure development in the health sector. These include inauguration of Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput,^[12] Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada^[13] ,^[14] Bhima Bhoi Medical College & Hospital in Balangir^{[15] [16]} ,^[17] Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital in Balasore^[18] ,^[19] District Headquarter hospital in Jharsuguda^[20] ,^[21] 300 bedded District headquarters hospital building for Dhenkanal district, 100-bed mother and child hospital in Angul,^[22] 30-bed ICU at SCB Medical College and Hospital,^[23] MoU with the Vedanta Group for a 500-bed medical college and hospital in Kalahandi district, MoU with Tata Trusts for cancer treatment and research hospital in Bhubaneswar ^{[24] [25]} and inauguration of multiple Urban primary health centres among others.^[26]

Under Jena's tenure as health minister, Odisha has become the first State in the country to have formulated the Universal Eye Health Programme (UEHP). In a first-of-its-kind health programme, the state aims at providing comprehensive, accessible, affordable and equitable eye care to people of all age groups. The Rs. 600 crore scheme will provide five lakh spectacles to students and 10 lakh cataract patients will be operated free of cost. Glaucoma patients will also be offered free treatment. ^{[27] [28] [29]}

In June 2017, the Odisha state government took initiative to completely sponsor the expenses for separating Craniopagus twins Jaga-Balia. The state health department, in co-ordination with AIIMS and doctors from across the globe, ensured that the operation (successful in very rare cases) was a complete success. The surgery received major media attention and was considered as a medical marvel. ^{[30] [31] [32]}

In January 2018, Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine was introduced in the state immunisation programme for the first time. The vaccination drive covered about 1.13 crore children across Odisha between the ages of nine months and 15 years. The 5-week long campaign involved 70,367 schools, 47,689 ASHAs, 71,129 Anganwadi workers, 8665 health workers and officials of state government departments and 37,160 outreach vaccination sessions. ^{[33] [34] [35] [36]}

The minister has earned himself a fiery reputation for conducting surprise visits to hospitals and health centres across the state to check the level of preparedness among the staff and authorities. This has led to increased alertness among the concerned officials and resulted in better care of the patients. ^{[37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42]}

As Law minister, Jena announced 115 new civil judge (junior division) and Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) courts to be opened at block level to speed up the disposal of pending cases. This will also create 330 posts across categories for the courts. ^{[43] [44] [45]}