After four days of stalemate, the State Assembly could conduct all businesses on Saturday, the last day of the first-phase of the Budget Session, with members of the Opposition Congress and BJP and the ruling BJD participating in all programmes, including the General Budget discussion.
While the House witnessed concern of members of all parties over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement during the Question Hour, Opposition MlAs, while participating in the General Budget discussion, pulled up the Government for the increase in the State’s loan, lack of irrigation facilities, dearth of drinking water, thousands of vacancies of teachers, doctors and in other Government posts and on many other issues, including death of children due to malnutrition.
“The Government has presented an anti-Odisha Budget. While farmers are yet to get irrigation facilities for their land, children are dying due to malnutrition. Education and health sectors have been worst affected during the 17 years of BJD rule. While the Centre has been providing huge amounts of funds, the State has witnessed no development,” alleged Congress MlA Naba Kishore Das, who initiated the Budget discussion.
He slammed the Government for incurring around Rs 80,000 crore loan and putting the same on the people. “While Rs 1,06,911 crore Annual Budget has been presented, the State’s loan now stands at Rs 80,000 crore. It is not far behind when the State’s Annual Budget and loan will not be equal,” he pointed out.
While others from the Congress and BJP members raised similar allegations, Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat refuted the charges stating that the State is on the path progress.
“The GSDP has touched 7.94 per cent growth mark. The rate of per capita income of people is higher than the national average. The State has been receiving Krushi Karman award for the last three years. Irrigation facilities have been enhanced. Vacancies are being filled up,” the Minister said.
Before the Minister’s reply, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empower Minister Pradeep Maharathy submitted a reply on the alleged suicide of Khainu Bagarty alial Hadu in the House. Speaker Niranjan Pujari had directed him three days back in this regard.
“A family dispute was the reason behind the suicide of Hadu Bagarty and it was not due to crop loss or the burden of loan,” said Maharathy in his reply.
He said an inquiry was conducted by the Baragarh district Collector into the alleged suicide of Hadu. “The inquiry revealed that his death was not due to crop loss or debt burden. It (suicide) may have taken place due to a quarrel with his wife,” said Maharathy.
He said Bagarti (55) of Kendapalli village under Bargarh tehsil, had three acres of cultivable land at Jhankarpalli village, while another 1.74 acres was in the name of his wife. He grew paddy in two acres and in the remaining land vegetables, he said.
The Speaker adjourned the Hose at 8.06 pm till March 14 after the Finance Minister’s reply.