The Opposition Congress today served a privilege notice against Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik accusing him of making a policy announcement outside the Assembly when the house was in session.
The notice was served by Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan during the zero hour who said "This (announcing a tax policy) is a clear breach of privilege by the chief minister."
The Chief Minister had announced that his government was willing to reduce the rate of VAT to five per cent on Aviation Turbine Fuel during the inauguration of the passenger terminal at the Biju Patnaik Airport here on March 5, Harichandan alleged.
"How can the government announce the tax policy decision outside the House," Harichandan asked.
Defending Patnaik, Parliamentary Affairs minister Kalpataru Das said the chief minister had not made any new announcement. "The chief minister had said the government will examine reduction of rate of VAT to five per cent."
Harichandan, however, claimed that Patnaik had categorically said that the government was willing to reduce the rate of VAT on ATF to 5 per cent.
Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat said "I will examine the privilege notice moved by the Congress member.
