The State Government was virtually embarrassed as the BJP, raising an issue of Rs 100-crore horticulture sapling scam alleged by former Agriculture Minister and BJD MLA Damodar Rout, demanded a CBI probe into the scam in the State Assembly on Thursday.

“There has been a massive irregularity in distribution of saplings by the Horticulture Department. This allegation has been made by none other than a former (departmental) Minister of this Government. A CBI inquiry should be conducted into the scam,” demanded BJP member Pradeep Purohit.

Earlier when the House met for the day, BJP members had staged a protest in the Well of the House demanding a probe into the scam.

Notably, Rout had on Wednesday alleged that the sapling scam of over Rs 100 crore was committed by the Agriculture Department. Rout stated this after Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy admitted the scam to be Rs 17-crore to a question of Rout.

Rout had also stated that the official responsible for the huge scam was shielded by his “godfather” in the Government and he (Rout) was removed from the Ministry.

Similarly, Opposition Congress members protested against the alleged Government apathy in fulfilling teachers’ demand in the Well of the House during the Question Hour.

As members of the two opposition parties didn’t relent from shouting slogans, Speaker Pradeep Kumar Amat adjourned the House till 11.30 am.

Later during the Zero Hour raising the issue of teachers’ strike, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra (Congress) said, “The teachers’ demand of equal work, equal pay is genuine. Good teachers with good salary can strengthen the education system, which is necessary for development of a society. When education is a fundamental right and the Supreme Court and the High Court have directed for ensuring quality education, the State Government should abide by the direction. To get good teachers, the Government has to pay good salary to them.”

He demanded that the State Government hold a discussion with the teachers and fulfil their demands in the interest of the State.