Bhubaneswar: Odisha governor S.C. Jamir on Tuesday spelt out the state government's stand on the Mahanadi issue, saying that the interest of Odisha would be taken care of, but the Congress MLAs staged a walkout accusing Naveen Patnaik of making false promises.

Jamir made the government's stand clear in his last address in the Assembly on the first day of the budget session.

"My government will leave no stone unturned to protect the interest of people of Odisha on Mahanadi," Jamir, whose five-year tenure ended on Tuesday, said.

Incidentally, as Jamir's tenure ended, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a communiqué gave additional charge of Odisha to Bihar governor Satya Pal Malik, who is expected to come here on March 24 to take charge.

Jamir's last day in the Assembly was marked by rivalry with the Congress boycotting the governor's speech.

"Your speech is not addressing the burning issues of the state. All the time, the government is making false promises and a rosy picture is been shown to the people. No promises have been kept. We can't be a party to all these things," said Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra before leading a walkout in protest.

Jamir, however, continued reading his 55-page speech in English and later BJD MLAs moved a motion of thanks.

Jamir's speech highlighted the new initiatives of the government including special development council in nine tribal districts, ownership rights to urban slum dwellers, steps to promote Odia as the official language and setting up of Biju Youth Force at block levels.

The speech harped on the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute that has turned into an emotive issue for both Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Congress leader Mishra said: "The democracy is in danger. Farmers are on strike, but their voice is not been heard."