Ruling, oppn enter into war of words over paddy procurement

The ruling and opposition members were today locked in war of words on the paddy procurement issue in the state forcing adjournment of the state Legislative Council.
A duel broke out over a question by BJP's Lal Babu Prasad on slow pace of paddy purchase from farmers in the state.
Initially Food minister Madan Sahni answered the question but it did not satisfy the opposition. Subsequently, Cooperative minister Alok Mehta sought to clear the situation the opposition members interrupted him.
Leader of opposition Sushil Kumar Modi accused the state government of failure in paddy procurement from farmers.
When Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrived in the House, the opposition sharpened their attack with BJP members trooping into well.

The CM rose from his seat and made a plea to Deputy Chairman Haroon Rashid who was presiding in the House that the state government would answer all queries of the opposition.

He asked the Deputy Chairperson that if an opposition member is allowed to speak long while asking question the minister should also be given long to answer and for this the duration of Question Hour could be increased.
But, this did not deter Sushil Modi and BJP members who continued to attack the government.
With din refusing to end, the House was adjourned till 2:30 PM.
Later, talking to reporters in his chamber, Sushil Modi said that out of a record about one crore paddy production in Bihar, the state government has manage to buy only 10 lakh metric tonne so far.

"Now merely 15 days are left for completion of the financial year 2016-17 which will force farmers to sale their produce at a throwaway price to private parties," he said.