Congress Moves Privilege Notice Against Odisha CM Mohan Majhi; Know Why

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Congress on Monday moved breach of privilege notice against Chief Minister Mohan Majhi for announcing 10 per cent reservation for Agniveers of the state in all uniformed services outside the Assembly during the ongoing Budget session.

Sources said Speaker Surama Padhi accepted the notice during Zero hour and the Opposition BJD and Congress members were seen creating ruckus in the House while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling was reading out the announcement made by Odisha CM in the Assembly.

Following the ruckus, the Speaker was unable to conduct the proceedings and adjourned the House till 4 pm.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Irasis Acharya also brought a breach of privilege notice against senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati. “Before coming to Odisha Assembly, I saw media houses reporting about Opposition move to bring privilege motion and create ruckus. Hence, I have moved a notice as what is going to happen in Assembly cannot be mentioned outside without the consent of the Speaker,” he said.

On Sunday, the Congress announced that it will bring a breach of privilege against the CM on the issue. “The chief minister should not have announced reservation for Agniveers outside the House. We will bring a breach of privilege motion against him in the Assembly,” Bahinipati told mediapersons.

Opposition deputy whip Pratap Deb also said the rules and procedures of the House do not allow the CM to make such an announcement when the Assembly session is underway.

Stating that the CM and members of the cabinet are inexperienced and making mistakes, he further said that there are several ways in which the issue can be raised, including bringing a breach of privilege motion against Majhi.

The CM had announced 10 per cent reservation in all uniformed services and five years age relaxation for Agniveers from the state before leaving for New Delhi on Friday to attend the NITI Aayog meeting.