Second Phase Budget Session Of Odisha Assembly Begins Today

Bhubaneswar: The Opposition and the ruling BJD have trained their guns at each other over key issues to be deliberated at the second phase of budget session of the State Assembly beginning today.

While the Opposition Congress and BJP are braced up to corner the government on issues including farmers’ plight, growing unemployment problem and drinking water crisis, worsening law and order situation, migrant labourers, shortage of teachers delay in appointment of Lokayukta, the BJD has its arsenal ready to use against them over the ongoing Mahanadi river water dispute as it has launched tirade against the Centre for dilly-dallying attitude in announcing the terms of reference (ToR) of the Tribunal it had constituted to resolve the matter as per the directive of the Supreme Court.

“We will raise issues like law and order, drinking water, employment and Mahanadi row etc,” Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra said.

BJP member Rabi Nayak said though there have been a series of extensive debates in the House on farmers’ issues, tribal upliftment, education and health services the state government has failed to address these issues. “We will raise these issues in the House for deliberation,” he added.

BJD chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy said his party is ready to discuss issues to be raised by the Opposition. “Besides, we will also share key issues relating to the state with the Opposition during the session. Above all, we want that the House runs smoothly without any disruptions, he pointed out.

During the second and final phase of the session, the Appropriation Bill for the 2018-19 budget will be taken up for discussion and passed on April 30.

The budget session would conclude on May 5.

The first phase budget session of the State Assembly was held from March 20 to 31.