Bhubaneswar: The proceeding of second day of the Assembly’s Budget Session was completely washed away amid pandemonium by Opposition members, who sought a discussion on farmers’ income and chit fund scam.
The day began with an obituary reference to former minister Harihar Karan, who passed away Monday, following which the opposition Congress and BJP members rushed to the Well of the House shouting slogans against the BJD government.
The Congress MLAs requested the Speaker to cancel the Question Hour to allow a discussion on issues faced by farmers, while the BJP members, wearing black aprons, demanded a debate on status of chit fund scam probe in the State.
Unable to run the proceedings, Speaker P K Amat adjourned the House, first for one hour till 11.40 am and later again till 3 pm. As soon the members reassembled after lunch, Opposition members continued to disturb the proceedings. Thereafter, the Speaker called an all-party meeting to resolve the deadlock. However, the meeting proved to be futile and the House was adjourned till Wednesday morning.
The saffron party legislators alleged that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was backing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her fight against the CBI as it wants to protect the offenders of ponzi scams here.
Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati burst out saying, “The demand of the Congress party is farm loan waiver, declare an additional Rs 600 for paddy MSP per quintal. Also provide employment to the ward of the farmers or give them h unemployment allowance worth Rs 3,500.”
BJP MLA Padeep Purohit said, “The BJD government and Naveen babu himself are backing Mamata to get relief from the CBI investigation into chit fund scam.”
“CBI has taken up the responsibility of probing the chit fund scam under the supervision of the Supreme Court,” he said.
BJD legislator Pushpendra Singhdeo said, “It is saddening to note that the House proceedings are being affected. Whatever needs to be discussed in the House is not being done by the Opposition.”
