Furore in Orissa Assembly over hike in oil prices

Bhubaneswar, Feb 15 (UNI) The Orissa Assembly today witnessed a furore as the ruling BJD and BJP members came down heavily on the UPA government at the Centre for hike in petrol and diesel prices.

For sometime the Opposition Congress and the Treasury bench members were seen indulging in verbal duel over the incident which ultimately forced Speaker Maheswar Mohanty to adjourn the House for 30 minutes.

The issue was raised by BJD member Pradeep Maharathi through special mention who alleged that the Congress led UPA government had raised the prices of fuel five times during its four years tenure.

He said while the prices of petrol had gone up by Rs 9.93 paisa, the diesel had been increased by Rs.8.20 and the LPG by Rs 40.

Soon after the members from the Treasury bench joined with Mr Maharathi and shouted '' shame shame'' prompting the Opposition Congress to raise counter slogan against the BJD-BJP government in the state.

The treasury bench members demanded a special discussion on the issue suspending all the business of the House but this was vehemently opposed by the Congress members who were also seen on their feet to counter the slogan shouting treasury bench members.

Mr Maharathi later demanded that a motion be moved in the House to condemn the hike in the petroleum products by the UPA government CPI member Narayan Reddy said though his party had been extending outside support to the UPA government but they opposed the hike in the oil prices and demanded that the centre should reconsider its proposal as it would hit the common people.

As the furore continued over the issue, the Speaker finding no option but to run the business of the House adjourned it for 30 minutes. The house reassembled after the adjournment to take up an adjournment motion on the suicide of the farmers in the state.

UNI DP KK AB 1801