In view of the fast-spreading Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the number of such cases increasing in the country, the State Assembly was adjourned till March 29 as part of precautionary measures.
Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro adjourned the second phase of the current Budget Session till March 29 following a proposal presented by Government Chief Whip Pramila Mallick in the House on Friday.
However, Opposition BJP members opposed the proposal alleging that the Government is taking such a decision to avoid discussions over several serious matters.
“The proposal shows that the Government doesn’t want to hold discussions on important Demands of Grants of various departments and fears to face people in case it fails to withdraw Jagannath Temple fund of Rs 545 crore from Yes Bank after the maturity date of March 19,” alleged Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik. Other members of his party also opposed the move.
However, the Congress supported the move. “The Congress stands by the proposal of adjourning the House till March 29 in view of people’s interest. Preventive measure is now a need of hour,” said Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra.
He said the AICC has also cancelled several public gatherins and rallies planned in Gujarat and other parts of the country in view of the Coronavirus situation.
Other Congress members like Santosh Singh Saluja and Tara Prasad Bahinipati, several BJD members and Parliamentary Affairs Minister also talked in favour of the proposal.
Following the debate, the motion was passed in a voice vote and the House was adjourned till March 29.
In protest, the BJP members staged a walkout.
Speaker said the Demands of Grants of various departments, which were scheduled to be discussion for 12 days, would be passed in guillotine on March 30 and Appropriation Bill on scheduled March 31.