Odisha: Rout's jibe at speaker embarrasses govt

Congress welecomes the statement and says that the speaker can be changed if the ruling party so wants

The state government today faced embarrassment when one of its senior ministers questioned the role of the assembly speaker Niranjan Pujari and blamed the latter for the prevailing impasse in the house.

“It appears the speaker is not applying the constitutional powers he enjoys. It is speaker's responsibility to ensure smooth functioning of the house. However, all political parties should cooperate with the speaker,” Damodar Rout, the excise minister told reporters outside the house.

Rout was referring to the ongoing logjam in the assembly, as it has not been able to function properly since November 20, when the winter session started. The impasse has continued unabated due to diametrically opposite views of the treasury and Opposition benches on allowing a debate on the controversial chit fund scam.

The opposition Congress welcomed the statements of Rout and hinted that the speaker could be changed if he was unable to run the proceedings effectively.

“If the government feels that the speaker is not being able to run the house effectively, it can change him,” Leader of Opposition, Narasingha Mishra said, reacting to the comments of Rout.

The assembly speaker said, he respected the statement of Rout

“He (Rout) is plenty senior. I should learn a lot from him,” said Pujari in what seemed a tongue-in-cheek remark.

However, former speaker and current finance minister, Pradip Kumar Amat came to the rescue of Pujari, saying, “The speaker cannot be blamed since the house is running as per established procedures.” The state assembly passed the Appropriation Bill amid pandemonium. As the house was reconvened after adjournment at 3 pm, the Bill was passed even as the Congress and BJP MLAs were up on their feet, holding up placards and raising slogans against the government on the chit fund scam.

The speaker finally adjourned the house till Tuesday as the uproar continued unrelented.

In the Appropriation Bill, the state government sought the assembly’s consent for the Supplementary Budget of Rs 4,502.34 crore.

The Opposition questioned the manner of the Bill's passage and non-introduction of the Bill in Odia language.

Leader of the Opposition said, “Whatever Bill is introduced in the assembly has to be tabled in Odia. Since the government did not table the Bill in Odisha, there is scope of this being challenged in the court.”