The first day of the Budget Session of Assam legislative Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Monday over the issue of ongoing agitation regarding the issue of proposed auctioning of 12 oil fields in Assam, leading to walkout by the Opposition MlAs.
The problem started after the members of Congress and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) demanded the Speaker to have a discussion over the issue of Statewide agitation regarding the Central Government’s decision to auction 12 small oil fields in Assam.
While the leader of the Opposition Debabrat Saikia moved an adjournment motion, AIUDF’s Aminul Islam also moved an adjournment motion demanding a discussion over the issue. Congress legislator Ajanta Neog had also submitted a notice to the Speaker in this regard.
Speaker Ranjit Das, who accepted the notice of Neog, however, disallowed the discussion and said that the matter had been listed for discussion later.
At this, the Opposition leaders rushed to the Well of the House and insisted the Speaker to allow the discussion. At this BJP legislator Suman Haripriya rushed to the Well of the House saying that the Opposition members are going to attack the Speaker. At this other BJP MlAs also rushed to the Well, forcing the Speaker to temporarily adjourn the House for five minutes.
When the House resumed, the Opposition members again rushed to the Well and demanded him to allow the discussion on auction of oil fields. The Speaker, however, went ahead with the scheduled business of the House leading to walkout by the entire Opposition.
It may be mentioned here that Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced that the Centre is going to auction 67 small oil and gas fields that includes 12 from Assam. Protests have rocked different areas of the State opposing the Centre’s move to auction the 12 oilfields.