BHUBANESWAR: The Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Saturday over non-submission of audit reports of universities in the House for the last 20 years.
The Opposition Congress alleged foul play in such omission.Congress members rushed to the well of the House during Zero Hour after the issue was raised by leader of the Congress Legislature Party Narasingh Mishra forcing Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro to adjourn the House from 11.55 am to 12.50 pm and then till 3 pm.
The Speaker had to convene an all-party meeting to restore normalcy in the House.
It was decided at the meeting that Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo will make a statement in the House in this regard.
Alleging that non-submission of audit reports point towards irregularities in the functioning of universities, Mishra demanded that Ministers of the departments under which the universities function should be called for a discussion.
Mishra further stated the decision of not presenting audit reports is a violation of Odisha University Act, 1989.
Seeking Speaker’s ruling, Congress MLAs vehemently demanded that the House must hold a discussion on the issue.
Stating that these institutions must carry out audit every year and the Government should present the report in the Assembly, Mishra alleged this has not been done in the last 20 years after Naveen Patnaik assumed office as Chief Minister.
This is a sensitive and important issue for the State, he said and added that the Speaker could adjourn the House and hold discussion among leaders of all political parties as to what steps can be taken.
Expressing similar views, Leader of the Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik said outside the House the state government has not put any restrictions on admissions and fees of the universities.
“As the universities are set up with money from state exchequer, the government must be informed about the fee collection and other related details. The state government should present those reports in the House,” he said.
Government chief whip Pramila Mallik said the Higher Education Minister will make a statement in the House on Monday.