The Jharkhand Government may adjourn the ongoing Budget Session of State Assembly citing risk posed by the spread of coronavirus cases in India.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that at present the Government has not taken any decision to adjourn the ongoing Budget Session as Jharkhand has not witnessed any positive cases, but will take a decision in future if situation demands so. The Budget Session of Jharkhand which commenced on February 28 will conclude on March 28.
The Chief Minister’s remark on contemplating of adjourning Budget Session assumes importance as on Monday the Madhya Pradesh Assembly was adjourned till March 26, over Coronavirus scare. The MP Speaker invoked the Article 397(2A) citing fear of epidemic to adjourn the proceedings.
Earlier, the Chhattisgarh State Assembly had already adjourned the Budget Session till March 25 citing risk posed by the spread of coronavirus cases in India.
Chief Minister Soren also said as a precautionary measure the Assembly secretariat has decided to restrict the entry of outsiders, mainly visitors entering the Assembly for witnessing house proceedings. Visitors including school students, officials from Government offices, officials from NGO and representatives from concerning legislators everyday visits Assembly to witness how the house function.
The Government planning to adjourn the budget session assumes importance as Hemant Soren Government today announced to close down all educational institutions, malls and multiplexes and other crowded places due to coronavirus scare.
Earlier, on Monday the issue of coronavirus echoes at Assembly with members raising the issue highlighting lack of preparation from Government side to tackle the menace. Raising the issue, BJP legislative party leader Babulal Marandi said coronavirus scare is slowly becoming endemic, but there is lack of preparation from Government side.
The BJP legislators demanded the Government to close down all educational institutions like other states so that people safety is maintained. Replying to Marandi’s allegation, the Chief Minister said Government is very much serious to handle the issue, but the opposition is left with no other issue but to disrupt house.
Meanwhile, in the House the issue of incessant rain was also raised in the session. In the house, BJP legislators Navin Jaiswal and Bhanu Pratap Shahi raising the issue said that due to incessant rain farmers have incurred huge loses as their crops have been damaged. The MLAs demanded compensation to farmers on this issue. Several parts of State in past few days witnessed incessant rain in districts.