BJP alleges misuse of contingency fund in Odisha

Opposition BJP on Friday sought Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal's intervention into the alleged misuse of state contingency fund by BJD for its political mileage.

The BJP members led by party's chief whip Mohan Majhi staged a protest demonstration in the well of the House against the passage of the first special supplementary budget for 'recoupment of advance' from Odisha Contingency Fund, "without" discussion on it in the assembly.

Majhi criticised the state government for passing the supplementary demand through guillotine on Thursday.

"The passage of supplementary demand without discussion is against the democratic practice," Majhi said.

Agitating BJP members were seen rushing to the well, and attempting to climb the Speaker's podium. They also shouted slogans, accusing the Odisha government of not taking the House into confidence.

Appeals by Parliamentary Affairs Minister B K Arukha and Speaker S N Patro had no impact on the saffron party members, as they continued to remain in the well. The House was then adjourned till 3 pm.

When the House reassembled and began discussion on the Odisha Appropriation Bill, 2019, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik of BJP along with party MLAs walked out and rushed to Raj Bhavan.

In a memorandum to the Governor, the BJP MLAs said the state government had increased the contingency fund size from Rs 400 crore to Rs 1400 crore for spending in various schemes before the general elections to gain politically.

They urged the Governor to intervene and take exemplary action against the state government for violation of the constitutional norms.