Bhubaneswar: With Odisha Assembly continuing to witness uproarious scenes over issues such as farmers’ woes, Congress on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of lacking readiness to face the situation.
As the proceedings were disrupted due to ruckus by opposition parties, senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleged that the government is not prepared to properly deal with the situation and facilitate sooth running of business.
Stating that all issues can be sorted out through discussions, the Congress legislator claimed that the ruling BJD has failed to show the required willingness to ensure smooth proceedings in the House.
Stressing that budget presentation was smoothly conducted with cooperation from the government, he said the government failed to take up the adjournment notice Congress to hold discussion on issues relating to farmers in the House.
“They called a meeting for smooth budget tabling and we joined discussions. Budget was tabled amid peace in the House. However, Congress adjournment for discussion on farmer issues was not taken up,” Bahinipati said.
Alleging gross mismanagement of paddy procurement across the state, the Congress MLA claimed that huge volumes of paddy are lying in mandis but the government is now showing seriousness to resolve the issue and safeguard the interests of the farmers. “How can the House run smoothly under such circumstances,” he wondered.
Meanwhile, the Assembly witnessed chaotic situation since the question hour as Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members raised issues related to farmers, while Congress focused on the Epstein file scandal. Despite the Speaker’s repeated appeals, they refused to calm down, forcing her to adjourn the proceedings.
The proceedings were adjourned twice – first at 11.30 am and then again for 30 minutes later – as the opposition legislators continued to create ruckus.
As the uproar persisted in the House, Speaker Surama Padhy called an all-party meeting as part of efforts to maintain peace and order in the House.
