Oppn stalls Odisha assembly for 3rd day over power tariff hike

The Odisha Assembly was today stalled for the third consecutive day with opposition Congress and BJP intensifying their agitations demanding roll back of the power tariff hike.
Like two previous days, the opposition members rushed to the Well of the House holding banners and shouting anti- government slogans as the Question Hour began in the assembly. Unable to run the proceeding Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned the House till 12.50 pm.
Meanwhile, ruling BJD members also displayed placards alleging that Congress and BJP members have joined hands in Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd's (MCL) decision not to be sponsor of the state government's 'Aahar' scheme.

The scheme is to provide cooked food at the rate of Rs 5 a meal to urban poor from April 1. The state government had earlier asked the MCL to bear financial burden of Aahar scheme in Sambalpur town.
The ruling party MLAs also staged a dharna under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the premises of Assembly protesting against MCL's decision.
When the House reassembled at 12.50, the opposition members were already in the Well and demanded adjournment of the House till the state government announced roll back of the power tariff. Even as din continued in the House, Pujari allowed discussion on the demand of the Home and General Administration department.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is charge of both the departments moved the notice and the demands were passed without participation of the opposition members.
In his ruling, the Speaker said, "As the Power minister and department secretary are absent so no discussion was held on tariff hike issue. A meeting over the problem will be held on March 30.