Farmer suicide trigger furore in Orissa Assembly

Bhubaneswar,Nov 30 (UNI) Orissa Assembly today witnessed furore as the Opposition trooped into the well shouting slogans criticising the BJD-BJP government for ''soft pedalling'' the suicide of farmers in the state.

The agitated Opposition trooped into the well to stall the business of the House during the zero hour. Slogans and counter slogans between the Opposition and treasury bench members dominated the scene forcing Speaker Maheswar Mohanty to adjourn the house thrice and finally till 1500 hours for lunch.

The trouble started when Congress Deputy leader Narashingh Mishra moved a privilege notice against Agricuture Minister S N Nayak alleging that the Minister had undermined the dignity of the House by making statement relating to the cause of a farmer's death outside the House.

Mr Mishra said Mr Nayak was directed by the Speaker to make an on the spot probe into the recent suicide of a farmer in Rayagada district and make a statement in the House.

The Minister, he said went to the village but instead of making a statement in the House, preferred to speak to the media at Rayagada ignoring the Speaker's directive. He also alleged that Ministers and the Chief Minister were not taking the house into confidence and urged the Speaker to accept his privilege notice against Mr Nayak.

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