The farmers’ suicide issue continued to rock the State Assembly for fourth consecutive day on Thursday with the BJP members insisting on a debate and the Congress demanding action against Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy and Bargarh district Collector for false information to the House on the death of a Bargarh farmer.
As the House met at 10.30 am, the BJP members demanded that the Question Hour be suspended and a debate on farmers’ suicide be held as farmer’s suicide cases are on the rise. But Speaker Niranjan Pujari didn’t give any response and called Higher Education Minister Pradip Panigrahy to reply to a question.
Soon, the BJP members trouped into the well of the House and shouted slogans against the Government. Unable to run the proceedings, Speaker Pujari adjourned the House for one hour at10.32 am.
When the House reassembled, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra raised the farmer’s suicide issue and expressed concern that though two days passed, the Speaker was yet to take a call on a privilege motion brought by him against Agriculture Minister Maharathy.
“Both the State Government and the Speaker have kept mum over the serious issue. While a fourth case of suicide by a farmer has been reported, keeping mum over it is very disappointing,” said Mishra. Mishra further stated that the Speaker should call for an all-party meeting to discuss the farmer’s issues.
During the time, the BJP members were too shouting slogans in the Well of the House in favour of their demand. Pujari adjourned the House again at 11.35 am till 3 pm. In the afternoon hours, the House also witnessed adjournments.However, the discussion on demands for grants relating to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department was held amid sloganeering. The leader of Opposition spoke about an hour amid various anti-Government slogans shouted by the BJP members.
Finally, the House was adjourned for the day at 5.19 pm.