Odisha Assembly adjourned till 3 PM amidst din

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 26: 

The second and last phase of the budget session of Odisha Assembly that began at 10:30 AM today was adjourned till 3 PM amidst ruckus.

The question hour started in a stormy note as the opposition members came to the well of the house and shouted slogans after their adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the chit fund scam was not accepted. They also raised issues such as water crisis and alleged links of politicians with gangster Dhalasamanta brothers.

Similarly, the ruling party members were seen sloganeering against Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his alleged connection with VYAPAM scam.

The speaker adjourned the house till 3 PM amidst din.

“A lot of MLAs, MPs, ministers, bureaucrats and other leaders are involved in the chit fund scam. Questions have been raised even on the Chief Minister. This is why, in our meeting with the Speaker yesterday, we demanded this issue to be taken up. We are not targeting a political party here. It is not only about Sanjay Das Burma, but also about the larger issue that cuts across party lines. Further, we wanted to discuss the water crisis and criminal-politician nexus,” said Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati speaking to reporters outside the House.

“We are ready to discuss all the issues the opposition wants to take up. The reason the Speaker rejected a discussion on the chit fund issue is because the matter is sub judice. As per the rules and procedures of the Assembly, if a matter is sub judice with ongoing investigations, the issue can’t be taken up for discussion. A ruling has already been issued on this context in November 2014. The opposition members know it,” said BJD MLA and party Spokesperson Pratap Jena.

It may be noted that the session with 21 working days has been scheduled to continue till May 20.

While the Standing Committee reports is likely to be tabled today, the budget proposals of 14 departments are likely to be discussed starting tomorrow. Further, a proposal for a regular budget for the remaining 10 months are also likely be tabled in the House, according to sources.

The House had earlier passed an Appropriation Bill for two months in the first phase of the budget session — that was held between March 15 and 31.