Opp works out strategies to corner Odisha govt in Assembly

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar10:

The opposition parties and ruling BJD have worked out strategies for the second phase of the udget session of the Odisha Assembly that will begin from tomorrow.

The main opposition party Congress has worked out strategies to corner the government on the issues of land scam, mining scam, chit fund, police excesses committed on anti-liquor trade campaigners at Namtara in Kendrapara district, minor delivering babies in sevashram schools, Naxal activities in new areas, unemployment in the state, filing of charge sheet by the CBI in chit fund cases and deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

“We will definitely raise the issues of chit fund scam and land scam in the House. We will also raise the issue of mining scam. It all depends on the Speaker’s cooperation what he will allow for discussion and for how long. The honourable Speaker can allow us to hold discussions well within the limits of law. He should allow for debates. Even if he doesn’t allow, we will make efforts for debates on these issues,” said Narasingha Mishra senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly giving a fair idea about the shape of thigs to come.

The BJP too will raise important issues concerning the public during the session.

“We will raise issues on difficulties faced by people to get rice under the BPL scheme. New ration cards are being prepared in the state but survey teams are not reaching the people properly. There are no teachers in schools neither are there doctors in hospitals. There is no irrigation facility for farmers. There is no employment for unemployed youths in the state. All these issues that have a bearing on the people of the state at large will be raised by us in the Assembly,” said Basant Panda, leader of the BJP legislature party.

The issues of agriculture, irrigation, health, food supplies and educationin the state will remain in focus during the session.

The ruling BJD on the other hand has said that it was prepared to debate all issues that concern the state during the session.

“All issues that concern the interest of the people of the state and are raised by the opposition parties in the greater interest of the state will be welcomed by us. The government is prepared for debate on any such issue,” said Bikram Arrukh, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

“The Speaker will surely cooperate in an impartial manner in the coming days which he has been doing all along,” added Arrukh.

The second phase of the budget session beginning from tomorrow will continue till April 4.

Different standing committees will table their reports in the Assembly on March 11, the opening day of the second phase of the ongoing budget session.

Demands of 18 departments will be debated and passed by the House during this session. The House will adopt the Appropriation Bill on March 31.

The Odisha Police Bill-2015 and the Value Added Tax Bill will also come for discussion during the session.