Jharkhand Assembly disrupted over kissing event, other issues

The Jharkhand Assembly saw repeated disruptions on Wednesday over various issues, including the ruling BJP's demand that the house take up the "kissing" event organised by a JMM legislator, and was finally adjourned for the day without much business.

Bharatiya Janata Party members stood up at their seats and demanded a discussion on the "kissing competition" of tribal couples, conducted by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislator Simon Marandi in a village last week.

"Half of the population of Jharkhand is women. This is an insult to women of the state and it should be discussed in the House," said BJP's Radha Krishna Kishore.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik's Pradeep Yadav raised the issue of 175 acres of land handed over to Adani Power Ltd to set up a power plant in Godda district.

"The land was acquired forcefully from the villagers. This is serious issue and it be discussed in the House," he said.

Members of the JMM, on the other hand, trooped towards the speaker's podium, shouting slogans against the Domicile Policy that enables any person living in the state for the last 30 years to enjoy benefits as a permanent resident, and demanding its withdrawal.

They also demanded discussion on the amendment to the Land Acquisition Act passed during the assembly's Monsoon Session.

Assembly Speaker Dinesh Oraon tried to pacify the members and appealed to run the Question Hour. Finding it difficult to manage the House, at 11.30 a.m. he adjourned the House till 12.30 p.m.

When the House reassembled at 12.30 p.m., the JMM members again trooped towards the speaker's podium.

Amid the din, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Rai tabled the second supplementary Budget of Rs 2,761 crore after which the house was adjourned till Thursday.

--IANS

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