BHUBANESWAR: Opposition Congress and BJP today nailed the state government on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state which acquired the dubious distinction by topping the list in the crime
against women.
Leading the attack against the government leader of opposition Narsingh Mishra said the law and order situation in the state is worst and this is because low rate of conviction.
"There is no rule in the state. Crime against women is on the rise. Conviction rates have dropped to six per year in rape cases at a time when six rapes take place per day in the state," Mishra said.
Such a shocking indicator speaks volumes about the inefficiency of the Chief Minister who is holding the reins of the Home department, he remarked.
Initiating the debate on the demand of grants for Home and General Administration departments, the leader of the Congress legislature party said a jungle raj prevails in the state.
Mishra attributed the low conviction rate to poor quality investigation, non-submission of charge sheets on time, and appointment of public prosecutors on political consideration without taking into account their expertise in criminal cases.
Assailing the Chief Minister for not implementing the Odisha Lokayukta Act, 2014, Mishra asked the former to explain the reason for the delay in framing rules under the Act.
"You (Chief Minister) said you are honest to the pie and your government is transparent. Why are you so afraid to implement the Act," he asked.
The Assembly passed the Lokayukta Act in February 2014 soon after enactment of the central law. The Chief Minister claimed that Odisha is the first state to enact the anti-corruption law in the coutry. He also declared to appoint the Lokayukta within three months, Mishra said.
He further sought to know from the Chief Minister on the status of the Odisha Police Bill which was returned by Governor S C Jamir last year. The controversial Bill was passed in a hurry when
opposition demand clause wise discussion.
Coming down heavily on the state government for protecting people involved in the multi-crore mining scams, Leader of BJP legislature party K V Singhdeo asked the Chief minister to explain why the
anti-corruptioin wing of the state is going slow against the accused persons.
Congress and BJP legislators walked out of the House as the Chief Minister rose to give his reply to the discussion.