The State Assembly could not conduct normal business during morning hours on Wednesday as ruling BJD members standing by their seats kept demanding an early constitution of a tribunal by the Centre on the basis of the Supreme Court’s order on the Mahanadi water dispute issue.
As the Question Hour began, Speaker Pradeep Kumar Amat called Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surjya Narayan Pato to respond to a question. But BJD members stood up at their respective chairs and started slogans against the Union Government for delaying constitution of the tribunal.
As they didn’t relent despite repeated requests, the Speaker adjourned the house at 10.35 am till 3 pm. Soon, the ruling members went to the Mahatma Gandhi statue and staged a dharna there.
“The Centre has convened a meeting of five States (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand Odisha and Maharastra) for a discussion on the Mahanadi issue at New Delhi on April 16. When the Supreme Court has directed to constitute a tribunal within a month, convening such a meeting is a conspiracy against the tribunal,” alleged BJD members outside the Assembly.
When the House reassembled, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra ruling party members halted proceedings to avoid discussion of farmer issues.
He wanted to know why the two Mahanadi committees, one headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and another led by the Speaker, have not met once since they were formed with consent of the House almost a year back.
Alleging that many irregularities in procurement of paddy have occurred and farmers have been suffering distress sale of paddy inn Kendrapada district, he demanded that the Chief Minister makes an statement on the status of an inquiry ordered by him.
At this time, Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy, though a Point of Order, countered the leader of Opposition’s contention on tribunal.
However, Mishra wanted to know why Satpahty was given Point of Order “in violation of norms”. As Speaker said others have also given Point of Order, Congress members staged a walkout.
Thereafter, BJP Member wanted to know why the State Government has not published a whitepaper on Mahanadi issue yet. As Speaker remained silent BJP members walked out of the House. Standing Committee reports were laid in absence of the Opposition Members as they didn’t return despite the Speaker’s request.