Second phase of Odisha budget session starts on stormy note

The second phase of the Odisha assembly's budget session started on a stormy note on Tuesday as opposition members disrupted proceedings, gathering before the speaker's podium to seek a discussion on the chit fund scam.

As soon as the house assembled for question hour, members of Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress gathered before the speaker's podium and shouted slogans after their adjournment motion for a discussion on chit fund scam was not accepted.

As pandemonium prevailed, Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned the house till 3 p.m. and then for the day after opposition members staged a walk out in the post lunch session.

"An adjournment motion was moved for the interest of the state. But, the speaker did not accept it. We demanded in the house to have a discussion over the chit fund issue," Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra, of the Congress, told media persons here.

"A lot of MLAs, MPs, ministers, bureaucrats and other leaders are involved in the chit fund scam. Questions have been raised even on the chief minister. This is why, in our meeting with the speaker on Monday, we demanded this issue to be taken up," said Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

BJP leader Pradip Purohit said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Ninister Sanjay Dasburma, who was issued a Central Bureau of Investigation notice for his alleged involvement in chit fund scam, should be sacked and the money collected by the chit fund companies should be returned.

However ruling Biju Janata Dal member Pratap Jena said the speaker did not allow the discussion as the matter is before the court.

"The speaker rejected a discussion on the chit fund issue because of the matter is sub judice. As per the rules and procedures of the assembly, if a matter is sub judice with ongoing investigations, the issue can't be taken up for discussion," he held.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday held a massive rally in the capital city demanding resignation of Dasburma.

--IANS

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