Opposition boycott over red card issue

Patna, Aug 10 (UNI) Demanding constitution of special committee of the Lower House to probe the irregularities in distribution of foodgrains on red card, the opposition today staged a noisy walkout from the assembly.

RJD members objected to the announcement made by Bihar Food and Civil Supply and Cooperative Minister Suchitra Sinha for departmental inquiry into the matter saying a special committee of the House would conduct a proper inquiry into the issue. The opposition alleged about blackmarketing of foodgrains and the poor living under the poverty line being deprived of the benefits.

To this Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the NDA government had introduced a coupon system, on the pattern of Rajasthan, to provide foodgarins under 'Annapurna Scheme'. Finding irregularities, the red cards had been cancelled and were being prepared afresh, he said.

RJD's Mr Khan dubbed the coupon system insignificant saying it would not serve the purpose of the poor.

Meanwhile, in his ruling Speaker Udai Narayan Choudhry assured to personally look into the matter along with the members of the business advisory committee. Apparently dissatisfied with the announcement, RJD members said it was the prerogative of the chair to take the decision but the ruling was 'totally unacceptable' to them. The entire opposition staged a noisy walk out from the House.

Intervening in the matter Mr Modi objected to their decision saying by challenging the speakers ruling the opposition had created a wrong precedence in the parliamentry history of the state.

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