Odisha govt filed false affidavit on Lokayukta in SC: Cong

The Odisha Assembly was today adjourned multiple times as the Congress and the BJP members disrupted the proceedings, accusing the BJD government of misleading the Supreme Court with wrong information on the implementation of the Lokayukta Act, 2014.

As soon as the members assembled for the Question Hour, the Congress members rushed to the well of the House, protesting against Speaker P K Amat's decision to reject their adjournment motion notice titled 'The chief minister has no time for the governance of the state'.

An hour before the Assembly session, the MLAs had requested Amat to accept the notice that called for discussion on the chief minister's alleged "indifference towards governance".

The speaker, however, turned down their appeal.

The members created a ruckus in the House, raising slogans against the government.

The MLAs also sought an apology from Patnaik for allegedly filing a false affidavit in the Supreme Court, stating that the state government had already enforced the Odisha Lokayukta Act, 2014 in the state in January 2015.

"The BJD government has filed an affidavit in the apex court stating that the Lokayukta Act was implemented in the state from January 16, 2015 and that the measures are being taken to frame Orissa Search Committee rules. If that was the case, the chief minister should furnish the gazette notification in this regard," Leader of Opposition Narsingha Mishra said.

Despite requests by the speakers, the Congress MLAs refused to get back to their seats and sought an explanation from the CM on the matter.

Unable to manage the situation, Amat first adjourned the House till 11.30 am and subsequently four more times till 4pm.

The opposition MLAs continued their demand for a statement from the chief minister and even attempted to climb the speaker's podium and snatch his microphone.

"I will tender my apology in the House if I am proved wrong, but will the chief minister resign if his government is shown to have told a lie? I know that the state government will not dare to challenge me," Mishra said.

The BJP also joined the protest, seeking a clarification from Patnaik for allegedly misleading the court. Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy, however, refuted the allegations and said the state government has never asserted that the Lokayukta Act has been enforced.

"The state government said that the steps are being taken for implementation of the Lokayukta Act," Satpathy told reporters outside the House after proceedings were adjourned for the second time in the day.

Echoing similar sentiments, BJD member D S Mishra said the Supreme Court has directed the state government to appoint Lokayukta and steps will be taken accordingly.

When the House reassembled for the final time at 4 pm, the Congress and the BJP members staged a walkout, expressing disappointment over the chief minister's silence on the matter.

The Supreme Court had on April 12 sought an affidavit from the Odisha government regarding the implementation of the Lokayukta Act.