The Budget Session of the 15th Odisha legislative Assembly starting on Friday is all set to be a stormy affair with the Opposition parties, the Congress and the BJP, planning to take on the State Government by raising chit fund, mining and land scams this time again and the ruling BJD sticking to its gun saying it is ready to discuss all issues ‘permissible under law’ in the House.
The Opposition parties have added the jaundice epidemic to their lengthy list of issues and scams to embarrass the Government. Notably, the Assembly’s last winter session could not run properly as the Opposition continued to stall proceedings raising the multi-crore chit fund issue. “The Congress will raise pro-people issues and expect that the BJD will allow it to hold discussions on those issues. Our party will certainly provide constructive opposition if the Government cooperates with us,” leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishr told mediapersons after presiding over a Congress legislature Party meeting in the Assembly premises.
He said the Congress would raise the jaundice and law and order issues, apart from mining, land and chit fund scams. “The Congress will continue to fight for the innocent chit fund depositors numbering about one crore and compel the Government to pay back their hard-earned money. Besides, our party will seek a reply from the Government as to how jaundice spread and turned fatal in Sambalpur and what actions have been taken against those who are held responsible for the spread of the disease,” Mishra said.
Mishra said his party would provide support in passing of pro-people Bills in the Assembly. With almost similar issues in hand, the BJP said it would discuss developmental programmes undertaken by the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre so far. “The chit fund, land and mining scams would be raised. The BJP will demand a reply from the Government on the spread of jaundice due to supply of contaminated water in Sambalpur and other areas,” said BJP legislature Party leader Basant Panda.
Panda said his party would also raise bus fare issue during the session. “The diesel price has been slashed by Rs 13 per litre in last few months, but the State Government has decreased bus fare by mere 4 paise during this period. The people of the State are not getting fruits of the developmental schemes under taken by the Centre,” Panda said.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the BJD members would discuss issues permissible under law. The Budget Session would sit in two phases and end on April 4. The Annual Budget would be presented on February 16 and the Appropriation Bill on March 31, according to the schedule.