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Bhubaneswar: Monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly which begins from September 4 is likely to be a stormy affair with the Opposition parties gearing up to corner the ruling-BJD on floor of the House.
With elections up around the corner, both the Congress and BJP have prepared agenda to keep the State government on back foot during the forthcoming session, sources said.
Issues like non-disbursal of crop insurance, tardy pace in implementation of the Lokayukta Act, rampant percentage commission activities despite Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s directive and irregularities in ‘Biju Yuba Bahini’ and ‘Ama Gaon Ama Bikash’ programmes are likely to take centre-stage in the House.
Upbeat with its renewed enthusiasm, the Congress has said that it would rake up issue over shortage of teachers and doctors in the state. Besides, it has also indicated to oppose the proposed formation of Vidhan Parishad.
The Congress legislature party, which is scheduled to meet tomorrow, will take a final decision on issues to be raised on the floor of the House, a party leader said.
“Non-employment in the state is at all-time high. People are also reeling under drinking water scarcity even during the rainy season. Though there are several issues in the State, we will raise them considering their importance,” Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said.
The BJP also has a long list of issues for targeting the ruling-BJD on the floor of the State Assembly. Farmer suicide, hijacking of Central schemes, woes of pregnant women are some of the burning issues which the saffron party is likely to highlight in the House, party MLA Pradip Purohit said.
“Though the chief minister has said that the Percentage Commission practices have been stopped, such activities are rampant at tehsil and block levels. Farmer suicide is also another issue that will try to rake up," added Purohit.
On the other hand, the BJD has indicated that it is well prepared to counter the Opposition.
“A resolution on formation of the Odisha Vidhan Parishad will be tabled in the House. The ruling party will also raise Mahanadi and Polvaram issues. We are ready to face any issues that will be raised by the Opposition,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said.
The monsoon session which begins from September 4 will continue till September 20. There will be 11 working days during the session and six bills are likely to be tabled in the House for debate.
Sources said the House is likely to move a condolence motion to pay tributes to former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the first day of the Session. Therefore the supplementary budget is likely to be tabled on September 5, sources added.
