Ruckus in Assembly over "drought-hit" tag, farmers' condition

The Bihar Assembly was today adjourned till 2 pm as opposition members created a ruckus, demanding a "drought-hit tag" for the state in view of deficient rainfall.

The Nitish Kumar government yesterday hiked subsidy on diesel by Rs 10 a litre to Rs 50 for irrigation purposes as the delayed onset of monsoon in Bihar has led to a 48 per cent rainfall deficit so far.

As the House met for the day at 11 am, the RJD, the Congress and CPI(ML) members served an adjournment motion notice for a debate on the situation of farmers in the "drought-like condition", but Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary ruled that the issue could be raised only after Question Hour.

However, after the Question Hour, when the Speaker discarded the notice for adjournment motion by Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on the ground that it did not follow rules, the opposition members, including RJD MLA Abdul Bari Siddiqui and Congress leader Sadanand Singh, asserted that the reasons behind its rejection be explained to them.

Paddy could not be sown in 86 per cent of agricultural land because of the drought-like situation, he said, adding that the state government failed to handle the crisis.

"The state announced diesel subsidy of Rs 50 per litre for irrigation only in the last week of July. The announcement should have been made earlier, when the state recorded 19 per cent deficient rainfall in May and June," he claimed.

The government should declare Bihar a "drought hit" state and waive off farmers' loans, Tejashwi said.

"As farmers are in a deep trouble and on the verge of committing suicide, we decided to move adjournment motion for holding a discussion on the crucial issue," he stated.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, on his part, said the government was ready to hold a discussion on the issue.

He suggested that the matter could be taken up for discussion during the first supplementary budget debate.

The CM has convened three meetings, including the one held yesterday, to assess the situation arising out of deficient rainfall, he said.

Besides hiking the diesel subsidy for irrigation purpose, the deputy CM said, the state government has also reduced the power tariff rate for farmers.

Not satisfied with Sushil Modi's reply, Tejashwi said "this (state govt) is a jumlebaaj government" which will do nothing for farmers.

The Opposition members rushed to the well and raised anti-government slogans, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till 2 pm.

Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar, during a press briefing yesterday, said CM Nitish Kumar has assured the officials that there was no paucity of funds and the disaster victims have the first right over the state's coffers.

The CM would hold meeting again on July 31 to review the situation and if need arises, he may also declare the state drought-hit, the chief secretary added.