The State Assembly on Thursday witnessed frequent adjournments as Congress members created kept demanding a ruling from the Speaker over exemption of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential commodities, including dal and sugar.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said the Odisha Traders’ Association has already decided to stop importing essential commodities from other States from April 1. As a result, common people would suffer a lot, he said and urged the Speaker to direct the Government to reply as to what steps it has taken on their five-per cent VAT withdrawal demand and what alternative measures taken to contain the impending crisis of essential commodities.
BJP members standing at their desks too wanted a ruling from the Chair over issue.
While Speaker Niranjan Pujari didn’t give any ruling in this regard, the Congress MlAs rushed to the Well of the House insisting on their demand. Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned the House at 11.34 am till 12.40 pm.
As the situation remained unaltered when the House reassembled, the Speaker again adjourned the House at 12.41 pm till 3 pm. The scheduled Adjournment Motion on the deteriorating education system in the State could not be discussed due to the adjournments.
Meanwhile, Federation of All Odisha Traders’ Associations secretary Sudhakar Panda reiterated the traders’ decision to stop importing essential commodities from April 1.
On the other hand, the Government asserted it has had talks with the national e-marketing organisation to import essential commodities if the traders go on strike,
A State-level taskforce has been formed to remain in touch with the district Collectors to ensure supply of essential commodities to consumers, said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma.