Bhubaneswar: Odisha Legislative Assembly’s Budget session got off to a turbulent start as Opposition Congress and BJP lawmakers stirred up a ruckus in the House over a number of issues.
As Governor Ganeshi Lal began to address the House, Congress MLAs approached the podium and caused a commotion. The chaos centred on former Health Minister Naba Das’s murder and deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
As the Governor went on delivering his address to the House, BJP members first walked out followed by Congress members. Later, the saffron party’s lawmakers organised a demonstration at the entrance of the House.
“We boycott the Governor’s address as he (governor) is giving a rosy picture on the development of the state. The law and order situation has completely collapsed,” said BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi.
Senior Congress member Suresh Routray said outside the House: “We have no objection to the Governor. He is a good man. But, the government narrates the wrong picture in his mouth. Therefore, we boycott the Governor’s address.”
Later, the Opposition members returned to the House and participated in the obituary reference made to minister Naba Kishore Das, ex-MLAs Gangadhar Das and Arjun Charan Das.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra, Congress Legislative Party leader Narasingha Mishra and CPI(M) leader Laxman Munda participated in the obituary reference.
Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha announced the adjournment of the House till 10.30 am, Wednesday as a mark of respect to the departed members of the Assembly.
It can be mentioned here that Odisha Assembly’s Budget session, which started today, will continue till April 6.
Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari will present the annual budget for 2023–24 February 24.
General discussion on the budget will begin February 27, according to a schedule provided by the Assembly Secretariat. The Appropriations Bill will be tabled March 31.
PNN & Agencies
