Ruckus in Odisha Assembly over who is superior, Minister or Secretary?

The second day of the monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly on Monday witnessed pandemonium with Opposition cornering the state government by alleging that democracy has virtually collapsed here. The Opposition BJP also brought in an adjournment motion over this along with another issue- who is superior? Minister or Secretary.

As the adjournment motion was not accepted, the BJP members created ruckus. The BJD, on the other hand, protested by raising the issue of national highways. Following the pandemonium, the proceedings of the House was first adjourned till 11:30 am and later till 4 pm today.

BJP leader Mohan Majhi said, “Our adjournment notice was that the democracy has collapsed and whether minister or secretary is superior. However, it is unfortunate the way Speaker cancelled it without citing any reason.”

"MLA has rights to ask questions on the expenditure of departments. Similarly, we also wanted to know about the expenses incurred during CM’s Secretary visits, arrangements, security and helicopter use. But without any reason, the Speaker rejected it," Majhi added.

Congress MLA, Tara Prasad Bahinipati said, “It is intentional that they (BJP) do not want to ensure that the Assembly functions on BJD instructions as teachers are on strike, schools are closed and other employees including Anganwadi workers are also on strike. It clearly shows that BJD-BJP are one.”

BJD MLA Dipali Das said, “Cuttack-Sambalpur National Highway is an important highway and people of coastal and western Odisha depend on it. But it is unfortunate that the work is yet to be completed. The state government wants to ask the Centre over it. So far, the work is yet to start. I want to ask who is responsible for the deaths on the highway?"

Responding to the BJD MLA, BJP MLA Kusum Tete said, “Centre has sanctioned funds and it seems that the MLA is not aware of it. Now it is the Odisha Government’s job to get the work done. During such time, such statements are not justified.”