The State Assembly on Wednesday witnessed stoic silence for a few minutes as Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra questioned the Parliamentary Affairs Minister laying a paper on the Chief Minister's behalf.
After the Questions Hour, Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukhs invited Parliamentary Affairs Minister Niranjan Pujari to lay the paper on the Odisha Subordinate Jails Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Warders) Rules 2022 on behalf of Chief Minister and Home Minister Naveen Patnaik. CLP Leader Mishra questioned on what “authorisation” the Minister would place the paper in the CM’s absence.
Despite Speaker's reference of point of order, Mishra persistently demanded any authorisation letter from the CM. The impasse continued as the Speaker had no answer for a few minutes.
Only when Mishra was provided documents relating to Standing Committee reports and with request from Congress Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, he sat back and Pujari laid the paper.
Mishra also questioned why mediapersons are not allowed into the Press Gallery.