Niranjan Pujari was an Indian advocate turned politician. He is one of the senior politicians of Western Odisha. Niranjan is known as a soft-spoken and down-to-earth person. He represents Binkar and Sonepur constituencies in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Wiki/Biography
Niranjan Pujari was born on Tuesday, 31 January 1961 (age 62; as of 2023) in Sambalpur (also known as Sonepur), Orissa. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. Niranjan studied at Rampur High School in Odisha (1997). He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, Odisha (1981). In 1984, Niranjan pursued his LLB degree from LR Law College, Sambalpur, Odisha.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′6″
Weight (approximately): 70kg
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye color: black
Niranjan Pujari and Yogi Adityanath
family and caste
Niranjan Pujari belongs to a Hindu Brahmin family in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Parents and siblings
His father’s name was Radheshyam (late) alias Malu Pujari alias Pujhari.
wife and children
Niranjan Pujari married Binapani Pujari. He has two daughters.
religion
Niranjan Pujari follows Hinduism.
address
Village Rampur, PO/PS Rampur, Dist- Subarnapur, Pin 767045, Odisha
sign
Niranjan Pujari’s signature
Profession
politics
Niranjan Pujari entered politics in 2000 when the regional party BJD contested the Odisha Assembly elections for the first time.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) logo
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Niranjan Pujari started his political career in 2000 by contesting for the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Binka constituency on the ticket of Biju Janta Dal (BJD) party. In 2000, he won the Orissa Legislative Assembly election from Binkar constituency. In 2004, he won the 13th Orissa Legislative Assembly election from Binkar constituency. In 2009, Niranjan won the Odisha Legislative Assembly election from Sonepur constituency. He was elected from Sonepur constituency in 2014 and again in 2019.
minister
On May 10, 2011, Niranjan Pujari was appointed as Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare. His term ends on August 2, 2012. Niranjan served as Minister of Science and Technology from February 10, 2012 to August 2, 2012. From August 2, 2012 to May 21, 2014, he served as Minister of Industry and Minister of Taxation. On May 7, 2017, Niranjan was appointed as Housing and Urban Affairs Minister; his term will be till May 28, 2019. From May 7, 2017 to March 2, 2018, he served again as Minister of Industry. From March 3, 2018 to May 28, 2019, he served as Minister of Water Resources. He served as Minister of Revenue from May 29, 2019 to June 4, 2022. On June 5, 2022, he was appointed Minister of Finance.
Niranjan Pujari (left) as finance minister in the Odisha Legislative Assembly representing the Supplementary Budget for the fiscal year 2012-2022
Niranjan assumed office as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs on June 5, 2022. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was allotted to Niranjan Pujari in 2023 after the death of Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das; Naba Das in Jharsuguda, Odisha on January 29, 2023 Brajrajnagar in district was shot dead.
Speaker of Orissa Legislative Assembly
On May 26, 2014, Niranjan Pujari was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Niranjan Pujari (left) serves as Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly
In 2017, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik resigned from his post soon after he announced a reshuffle of the Council of Ministers. Niranjan refused to disclose the reasons for his resignation to the media; however, in an interview, he mentioned that he wanted to spend more time serving the people of the constituency.
committee members
Niranjan Pujari was a member of many committees including Public Utilities Committee (2000-2001), House Committee on Rehabilitation (2002-2003), Member Welfare Committee (2005-2006), Special Committee on Odisha Excise Bill (2005 ) (2006-2007) and the House Railroad Committee (2012-2013). He has chaired a number of committees, including the Standing Committee on Energy, Taxation and Consumption (2006-2008).
Assets and property
movable property
- Bank Deposit: Rs. 67,97,400.5
- LIC/Other Insurance Policies: Rs. 18,96,410
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 10,90,610
real estate
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 39,77,732
- Non-agricultural land: Rs. 2,79,645
- Residential Building: Rs. 75,10,600
Note: The movable and immovable property estimates given are based on 2019. Excludes assets owned by his wife and dependents (minors).
net worth
Niranjan Pujari’s net worth as of FY2019 is estimated to be Rs. 2 Crores. It does not include the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Facts/Trivia
- Being an advocate, Niranjan Pujari was inclined to study law.
- He is associated with many aid organizations including blood donation association ‘UTSARGA’ and ‘Nikhila Orissa Chhatra Andolon’ in Sambalpur, Odisha. He serves as the principal of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, a private special education school in Rampur, Odisha.
- He served as Director of Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).
- Niranjan Pujari is actively involved in cultural activities and is a member of Gangadhar Meher Sahitya Ekademic in Rampur, Odisha.
- Niranjan is keen on sports and clubs; he is a former member of Sambalpur University rugby team.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education