Ruling-Opposition faceoff rocks Odisha Assembly over government property seized by L&T

Bhubaneswar: Ruling BJD and Opposition parties – BJP and Congress – were seen in a confrontation mood over government property seized by L&T for non-payment of dues that rocked Odisha Assembly today during Zero Hour of its Monsoon Session.

The stalemate continued following the Question Hour as adjournment motion was not accepted by the Assembly Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha.

A source said that Rs 20 crore previously due to the L&T was not paid, which has now gone up to Rs 120 crore after including interest. Both the Opposition parties pushed the ruling BJD to tight corners over the issue seeking a clarification from state Works Minister in this regard.

Properties of the State government worth lakhs of rupees were recently seized by the private company on court order, the source added.

Giving a ruling, the Speaker Arukha said, “A review petition was earlier filed with the Supreme Court in connection with the issue. Hence, as per Rule 60 (VII), a matter which is already sub-judice cannot be debated on the floor of the House.”

However, BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi opposed the ruling as the case was not accepted for hearing in Orissa High Court. He demanded a debate on the issue saying it to be delicate.

Echoing the same view, senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said that the State government did not give importance to the issue in between 2004 to 2022. The private company has obtained all secret information of the government, which were stored in a number of computers.

Bahinipati demanded saying that the company must be black-listed with immediate effect. Properties of government officials, who are responsible for the wrongdoing, be seized.

In reply, BJD MLAs said, “Assembly Speaker’s ruling must be treated as supreme in the House.”

There are other forums for debate. Any discussion would impact the case, BJD MLAs added.