The ruling BJD, claiming its readiness to counter the Opposition attack in the Winter Session of Assembly beginning on Thursday, is yet to decide on the motions it would bring in for discussions.
However, Central neglect, price rise and UPA Government’s faulty economic policy etc would be the major issues to be raised by the ruling party, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kalpataru Das, after the BJD legislature Party (lP) meeting held here on Wednesday evening.
Das also did not rule out the possibility of bringing a Censure motion against the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centrr for its neglect in providing assistance to Odisha to meet the requirement of ongoing restoration and rehabilitation measures in the Phailin and flood-affected areas even after the announcement by the Prime Minister.
The BJDlP meeting was held on the Assembly premises under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. As many as 79 MlAs, including the Chief Minister, were present at the meeting. Das said that as of now notice had been given for introduction of five new Bills for discussion and passing in the House. Besides, as many as four Bills introduced in the earlier session were pending for discussion and passing. A few new Bills are likely to be introduced basing on Wednesday’s Cabinet decision, he said.
The five new Bills waiting for introduction include Odisha Survey and Settlement Amendment Bill-2013, Odisha Pani Panchayat Amendment Bill-2013, Indian Stamp Odisha Amendment Bill-2013, Odisha Conduct of Examination Amendment Bill-2013 and Odisha Contingency Fund Amendment Bill-2013 replacing the existing ordinance.
The four Bills pending before the House are Odisha Police Bill-2013, Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Bill -2013, Odisha Public Demands Recovery Amendment Bill-2013 and Registration Odisha Amendment Bill-2013.
Das said that the Winter Session would continue till December 26 and have 23 sittings with 19 official days and four days for private members’ business. While the first Supplementary Budget for the 2013-14 fiscal would be presented by Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya on November 29, the appropriation Bill on the first supplementary statement of expenditure for the current fiscal would be taken for approval of the House on December 12 after discussion of demands for grants on important departments for three days, he said.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that several members participating in the discussion at the lP meeting raised burning issues relating to their areas and the State. While members thanked the Chief Minister for his effort in achieving sweeping victory in the recently concluded UlB elections, Pipili MlA Pradeep Maharathy urged for providing seeds during the Rabi season and appointment of BDOs against vacancies. MlA Ashok Chandra Panda raised the drainage problem of Bhubaneswar, while MlAs Ananta Das and Jiban Pradip Das underscored the need for coordination among departments like the Agriculture, Revenue and Bureau of Statistic for ensuring crop insurance to farmers. Health and Family Welfare Minister Damodar Rout suggested establishment of more cold storages by seeking help from the NFDC.