Odisha Assambly Stalled Amid Opposition Uproar Over Fake Certificate, Kotia Issues

Bhubaneswar: Uproarious scenes were witnessed in Odisha Assembly on Friday as opposition BJP and Congress members slammed the BJD government over fake certificate racket and Kotia border dispute issue.

Raising the issues during zero hour, the opposition lawmakers created a ruckus. Many of them trooped into the well of the house and shouted slogans against the state government over the two issues.

Amid noisy scenes, proceedings in the House were paralysed. Unable to conduct business smoothly, Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha adjourned the House till 4 pm.

Hitting out at the state government, BJP stalwart and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jayanarayan Mishra told reporters that it is suspected that there is some link Vanik coaching centre with fake certificate racket that surfaced in Balangir.

The senior BJP leader sought to know the role of Subrat Chhatoi in supply of computers to 5T schools. He also wanted to know Chhatoi’s relation with 5T secretary and IT secretary.

Mishra said he also raised the border issues with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh during zero hour in the House.

Alleging that Andhra Pradesh is interfering in Kotia area and 21 other villages in Koraput district, the BJP leader claimed that  Andhra deputy Chief Minister is luring local people in the area.

Coming down heavily on the state government over the issue, the firebrand leader sought to know about the status of the Kotia package announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. “What steps have been taken by the state government in border row with other states?,” Mishra asked.

Voicing similar views, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra said fake certificate rackets are being reported from different parts of the state.

The veteran Congress leader further alleged that photos of a Minister and a former Minister along with the main accused in the racket have gone viral. It is also alleged that the prime accused has forcibly kept a govenrment quarter in his possession in an illegal manner, he claimed, and sought to know as to what steps the government is taking in this regard.

Countering the opposition attack, senior BJD leader Arun Sahoo accused BJP and Congress leaders of enacting drama over Kotia issue. The Central government has been informed about the issue several times, but no step has so far been taken to settle the dispute, he said.