Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 27: Ruling Biju Janata Dal members Friday expressed resentment against the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) for not sponsoring the Rs 5-a-meal ‘Aahar’ scheme proposed to be launched by the state government April 1.
While many members criticised the Opposition for their support to the move in the house, some BJD members staged a protest raising banners and placards in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises.
As soon as the House assembled for the day, Opposition leaders created a ruckus over the hike in electricity tariff once again, for the third consecutive day.
Meanwhile, the BJD members also waved banners against the MCL move and lashed at the Opposition parties for supporting such move as it was ‘anti-people’.
The House was adjourned by the Speaker till 12.50pm, following which a group of BJD members led by party chief whip Ananta Das walked to the Mahatma Gandhi statue where they staged a sit-in.
However, both Congress and BJP members seemed to favour the MCLs decision not to sponsor the state government’s ‘Aahar’ scheme which they termed as ‘‘politically driven.’’
Terming the ‘Aahar’ a BJD scheme, MLA Pradip Purohit criticised the BJD government. “Why should MCL support a party programme,” he asked.
The BJD chief whip came down heavily on MCL and the Opposition parties for their stance.
“The MCL gave hundreds of crore rupees to PM’s ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ while it contributed nothing to the ‘Aahar’ scheme,” Das said adding, “MCL is doing business with Orissa’s mines but it has not done anything for the state’s welfare.”
Notably, the state government has decided to provide rice and dal under Aahar scheme to people at lunchtime for `5. The scheme would be launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik April 1, coinciding with the 79th foundation day of the state at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela.
