Bhubaneswar: The second phase of the Budget session of Odisha Assembly began on a stormy note on Friday with Opposition BJP and Congress creating ruckus in the House over paddy procurement.
The Opposition accused the Odisha government of betrayal for not implementing the decision taken in the all-party meeting to address the problems of the farmers.
Due to the uproar by the Opposition members during the first question hour, Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro was forced to adjourn the House till 11.30 am. Later, the House was adjourned till 4 pm today.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati threatened to not to allow the proceeding of the House until all the paddy lying at the mandis are procured.
Similarly, Deogarh BJP MLA SubashPanigrahi threatened self-immolation again in the House if paddy is not procured from all farmers across the State.
“The government is bound to procure the paddy of actual farmers who have grown paddy on their own farmland. We have protested in the House as the government has betrayed us. Resolution of paddy procurement issue is highly needed,” said Congress leader Narasingha Mishra.
BJP MLA Nauri Nayak also targeted the State government and said, “Twelve days have passed since the first phase of Budget session concluded, but the government has not initiated any process for procurement of paddy at any place. No step was taken for reactivation of tokens which were lapsed. The decision of the all-party meeting has not been implemented yet and paddy are lying at the mandis.”
Reacting to the allegations, BJD MLA Dhruba Sahu said, “It is not appropriate to stall the House proceeding during the question hour. I do not know whether the Opposition parties have genuine concern over the paddy procurement, but I am sure that they are doing more politics on the issue.”
Meanwhile, the Assembly Speaker made ruling in the House and said the State Civil Supplies Minister will make statement over paddy procurement before conclusion of today’s working day.
(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)