The Odisha Assembly on Wednesday witnessed uproarious scene that led to adjournment of the Question Hour over the letter by the Central Government to return a portion of the calamity assistance already released for the relief and reconstruction work in Phailin-affected areas. Both the Treasury Bench and Opposition Congress resorted to tactics of browbeating each other in form of demonstration. Due to the ruckus, the Question Hour could not be transacted.
The Speaker adjourned the House after two minutes of the commencement of the Question Hour at 10.32 am till 11.30 am. The problem cropped up when Agriculture Minister Debi Mishra started replying a question of ruling BJD Member Alekh Kumar Jena. Some of the Treasury Bench members standing in their respective seats displayed placards on their hands, saying the Union Government’s letter asking to return Rs 289.62 crore out of the Rs 750 crore given as Phailin assistance was an insult to the State.
Reacting to the protest against the Central Government, immediately the Opposition members rushed in to the Well and shouted slogans against the State Government alleging that the Government was unable to utilise the Central funds. Treasury Bench members led by Deputy Chief Whip Sanjay Dasburma shouted slogans against the PM, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi blaming the Union Gover-nment for its step-motherly attitude towards the State.