BHUBANESWAR: In a deliberate attempt to avoid a debate on Opposition sponsored adjournment motion on exploitation of tribals and Dalits in the State, the ruling BJD on Wednesday created a ruckus on Polavaram issue in the Assembly forcing Speaker Niranjan Pujari to adjourn the House till 3 pm.
Soon after the House assembled, a motion condoling death of Odia jawan Pitabas Majhi in Uri was moved.
After the House offered condolences, members from the treasury benches started shouting slogans against the Centre for facilitating financial assistance from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) to the controversial Polavaram project.
BJD spokesperson Sameer Dash took the lead showing media reports of Nabard’s assurance to fund the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project which has been accorded national project status.
Unable to run question hour, the Speaker adjourned the House till 3 pm.
Opposition Congress accused the Government of running away from issues which it finds unpleasant. Dubbing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as an escapist, Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra said Wednesday’s disturbance was a well thought-out plan to avoid any discussion on plight of Dalits and tribals under the BJD regime.
“The Government is fully aware that it will come under fire from the Opposition on Gumudumaha firing, Nagada malnutrition deaths, Dana Majhi incident and other administrative failures which have exposed the ruling BJD’s maladministration in the State,” Mishra said.
Questioning the Government plan of action to prevent Andhra Pradesh from constructing Polavaram project, Mishra said the ruling BJD is only creating noise when the neighbouring State is making rapid progress in the construction work.
“What was this Government doing during the last nine years when Andhra Pradesh was taking all measures for construction of the dam? The ruling party is creating drama inside and outside the Assembly to divert attention of people from its failures,” he remarked.
Demanding a white paper from the State Government both on Mahanadi and Polavaram issues, Leader of BJP Legislature Party KV Singhdeo said people of the State are confused and have failed to understand what the ruling party actually wants.
Supporting the stand of the Centre on Polavaram issue, Pradip Purohit (BJP) said the NDA Government is only implementing the decision of the previous UPA Government. Once Polavaram was declared national project, there is no legal barrier to stop it, he added.