Bhubaneswar: Odisha Assembly was adjourned till 3 pm on Friday as pandemonium continued to prevail for 14th successive day of the winter session. Opposition members disrupted the proceedings by standing up with banners and posters in their hands, raising slogans over various issues and then trooping in to the Well of the House.
As soon as the House assembled for the day and the Question Hour began, Congress and BJP members stood up holding posters on chit fund scam and IIM location and moved into the Well. Some Opposition members were seen trying hard to draw the attention of Speaker Niranjan Pujari. The House could run for a minute.
Congress member Naba Kishore Das wondered if the black money issue can be discussed in Parliament when the matter is sub-judice, why then the chit fund scam cannot be discussed in Odisha Assembly. “The issue should be allowed to discuss in the House here but the ruling party here is taking an escapist route,” he held.
Further, Das added, as the government has approved Rules Committee’s recommendation to reduce the number of sitting days, it will try to use it instantly by ending the winter session earlier than scheduled to avoid a discussion on the chit fund issue in the House.
Countering the allegations, BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena said, “People of the state know who is adopting escapist path and disrupting the House.” He argued, “The House passed seven Bills but the Opposition members were absent. So we cannot be held responsible if Opposition legislators do not cooperate.”
Notably, today is the Private Member’s Day. But with no such move pending, no Bill will be introduced in the House today. As two members have given calling-attention motion, discussion is expected only after the House re-assembles at 3 pm.