Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s tax and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari launched a severe attack on opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress on Monday, and continued to stall for more than 10 days.
Pujari said opposition members should respect the mandate of the people and perform their legislative duties by debating issues concerning the state.
“About 40 million and half a million people in Odisha have sent us to the state legislative session to make laws, discuss their problems and find solutions. But because of the lack of cooperation between the opposition, they now have to see the houses not working,” Pujari said.
The minister strongly criticized MPs for bringing instruments such as Cymbal, Trumpet and Shehnais into the House and playing them to interrupt the lawsuit.
“The instruments played by opposition members in the House are often used in social and religious functions. However, they are using them to undermine the rallying process. This behavior is inconsistent. We urge opposition members to participate in the legislative business and discuss people’s issues.”
The minister, together with Engineering and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, shared details about the time wasted due to the opposition’s protests.
“I have collected input from various sources, including the Parliamentary Secretariat, between March 10 and 18, due to protests from BJD and Congress legislators. Our salary, Emmes and other allowances lost nearly 35 hours of legislative business.
Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati responded to Pujari’s statement, “The responsibility of the finance minister is to assume the responsibility of the opposition. However, they are not serious about it.
Congress has been calling for a House committee to investigate its alleged “rise” crimes against women and “sexual abuse” of girls who remain in state-owned residential school hotels.
BJD member Goutam Buddha Das said: “The Finance Minister is responsible for the current deadlock in the House. Let them find a solution to end the deadlock. We are only ready to expand our cooperation when the government asks us to discuss the issues we raise.”
