The State Assembly witnessed repeated adjournments and couldn’t conduct normal businesses till afternoon on Saturday as the Opposition Congress kept protesting against rise in petrol and diesel prices and blamed both the Union Government and the State Government for the rise.
As the House assembled, Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati along with his party members rushed into the Well of the House and shouted slogans against both the Governments. They demanded cut in taxes by both the Gvernments so that the general consumers get petrol and diesel at a reasonable and affordable rate.
At this time, BJP members protested the alleged custodial death of a person in Madhyakhand police station in Nayagarh district.
Amid sloganeering, Speaker Pradeep Kumar Amat adjourned the House at 10.32 till 11.30 am.
When the House reassembled, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra slammed the NDA Government at the Centre saying diesel and petrol prices have increased by 308 per cent and 120 per cent, respectively, during the last four years.
Stating that the State Government is no less responsible for the fuel prices hike as it is levying 26 per cent VAT on petrol and diesel, Mishra suggested to the State Government to come out with a statement to propose to the Centre to include petrol and diesel in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.
However, Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy gave a comparative list of VAT taken by Odisha and the BJP-ruled States. He said there would be no problem in inclusion of petrol and diesel in the GST if 22 States ruled by the BJP propose it to the GST Council.
Congress Chief Whip Bahinipati said both the BJD and the BJP used to hit streets protesting a mere hike of Rs 0.50 or Rs 1 in petrol and diesel prices during the UPA Government, but now, they are both responsible for the situation. Bahinipati demanded that the Finance Minister make a statement in the House as to what steps the State Government has taken to lessen the burden of the fuel prices on the common people. He along with other party members rushed into the Well and shouted slogans.
Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned the House at 12.13 pm till 3 pm.
However, normalcy returned and discussions on Demands for Grants were held during the afternoon hours. Expenditure of Rs 3,448.30 crore relating to the Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti Department and expenditure of Rs 352.04 crore relating to the law Department were passed following discussions.