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Bhubaneswar: Quite similar to a precedent set by PM Modi to invite heads for an all-party meet, Odisha Assembly Speakar Surjya Narayan Patro today chaired an all-party meeting ahead of the commencement of the first session of 16th Odisha Assembly on Tuesday. This is for the first time that an all-party meet was convened before the Assembly session in the State.
It has been observed over the past years that half of the sessions get adjourned or washed out amid pandemonium and ruckus by the members of the Assembly. Keeping this trend in mind, today's all-party meet involving senior leaders of the BJD, BJP and the Congress was convened by the new Speaker to discuss several issues, the sole agenda being the smooth conduct of the proceedings of the House.
On the other hand, the BJP-led Opposition this time has proposed to move two adjournment motions in a day, instead of one. This apart, they have demanded to come up with attractive proposals concerning the interests of the State so that more time gets devoted for debates on such issues.
"I sought the cooperation of all members for smooth running of the House. The Opposition has also proposed to move two adjournment motions in a day and I'll sincerely try to uphold that. It will help in discussion on vital issues. I am not saying no. We will have a discussion on this," said the new Assembly Speaker.
The session will witness State Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari presenting the Budget for 2019-20 financial year on June 28. The appropriation bill for 2020 fiscal will be passed in the House on July 31.
And this being the ruling-BJD's fifth consecutive term, the Opposition is set to go all guns blazing at the Naveen-led government in the House.
"Key issues will be post Fani restoration, irregularities in paddy procurement. Deteriorating law and order situation in the State is another major issue that will be raised in the House," said BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra after the meeting.
"The BJD has gifted a Rajya Sabha seat to BJP and the saffron party claimed that it's an open mutual understanding. What is this understanding all about?," questioned senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra.
The State government, on the other hand, is ready to face any issue raised by the Opposition in the House. The counter attack moves of the BJD will mainly include Special State Status to Odisha and negligence of Centre, said party MLA Debi Prasad Mishra.
