Bhubaneswar: With stalemate prevailing in the Odisha Assembly for the third consecutive day following uproar by the Opposition members over the inordinate delay in the appointment of Lokayukta, Speaker Pradip Amat on Wednesday convened an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
The announcement of the Speaker came after adjourning the House second time till 3 pm.
Earlier in the day, the Opposition Congress and BJP members during the question hour rushed to the well of the House with placards stating the adamant attitude of the chief minister against the appointment of Lokayukta.
After failing to pacify the Opposition members, the Speaker announced the adjournment of the House till 11.30 am.
The situation continued after the House assembled during zero hour as the Opposition members did not allow the Speaker to conduct normal business and stuck to their demand.
Amid the uproar, the Speaker adjourned the House till 3 pm.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, BJP member Pradip Purohit said the Opposition had wanted a clarification from the chief minister on the delay in the appointment of Lokayukta.
“The Lokayukta Bill was passed in the House in 2014 with the announcement of the chief minister that it would be implemented in the state within six months. Let the chief minister give a clarification as to why there is inordinate delay in the enactment of the bill. Let the Opposition know what problems the state government have in the appointment of the Lokayukta. Instead of making statement on this issue in the House, the chief minister has remained silent which shows that he may have been convinced by his party colleagues and some bureaucrats not to direct for implementation of the Lokayukta Act as their corrupt practices would be unmasked,” Purohit pointed out.
On the other hand, senior BJD leader Damodar Rout criticised the attitude of the Opposition.
“Generally the people of Odisha eagerly await the Question Hour in the State Assembly where their problems and solutions are discussed. But the manner in which the Opposition members are trying to stall the proceedings of the Assembly reflects their irresponsible behaviour. They should refrain from their selfish motives and allow the House to run smoothly,” he observed.
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