Curtain falls on monsoon session amid protests

BHUBANESWAR: Protests by opposition MLAs demanding a discussion on mining-related issues and the death of Dusmanta Das, the youth who had attempted suicide outside the state assembly a day before, stalled the last day of the monsoon session on Thursday.
As soon as the House assembled at 10.30am, the BJP and Congress MLAs rushed to the well questioning the speaker’s decision to not allow a discussion on the mining issue. They also raised slogans over the death of Das alleging negligence in treatment.
Amid the pandemonium, speaker Surya Narayan Patro first adjourned the house until 11.30am and later until 4pm.
Talking to media persons outside the House, BJP’s Mohan Majhi accused the speaker of rejecting the adjournment notice following the direction of the state government for the second consecutive day.
“After the speaker rejected a notice on Wednesday, we issued one again calling for a fresh discussion on mining exploration, transportation and the demand of industry. We don’t understand the justification behind rejecting the notice. Why is the state so scared to discuss the mining issue?” Majhi asked.
Alleging massive irregularities in mining operations in Odisha, Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said those in powerful positions in the government are hand in glove with companies who are looting the mineral resources of the state.
“It is unfortunate that the speaker is rejecting the notice even as we wanted a discussion on the issue. The speaker’s decision is not in accordance with parliamentary practice,” Saluja said. The opposition members had gheraoed Patro in his chamber on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the treasury bench members sat on a dharna near Gandhi statue on the assembly premises over farmers’ issues. The BJD MLAs protested over issues like the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee report to fix the minimum support price, the faulty implementation of crop insurance scheme benefiting the insurance companies, short supply of fertilisers to the state and non-release of paddy subsidy.
Inspired By