Asom Assembly witnesses uproarious scenes

Guwahati, Mar 8 (UNI) The Asom Assembly today witnessed uproarious scenes, forcing the Speaker to adjourn proceedings for 10 minutes on one occasion and the Opposition staging a walkout over another issue later.

The uproar erupted during the Zero Hour, when Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) legislator Kamala Kanta Kalita said many panchayat members were continuing in office even after completion of their term.

Panchayati Raj Minister Chandan Brahma while replying said though some panchayat members had completed their five-year term in late February and early March, elections can not be held for a few seats.

Moreover, panchayat elections were due in May this year, he added.

However, the Opposition memebrs wanted to know under what provisions they were continuing in office after the expiry of terms and questioned the delay in holding panchayat polls.

When the minister's reply failed to satisfy them, the legislators of AGP, BJP and the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) stormed into the well of the House, and also shouted slogans.

The treasury benches, including a couple of Cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries, also rushed into the well.

As the members refused to take their seats, the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

Later, the minister, in a statement before the House, said that legal proceedings would be initiated within a week on those panchayet members.

The Opposition benches again rose to their feet when the government sought to move the Assam Electricity Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2007, an hour later of fresh sitting. They demanded withdrawal of the bill as the proposed hike in electricity unit rates would create a burden on the consumers.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bharat Narah, on behalf of the Power Minister, said the hike was necessary to pay pension to retired employees of the department.

However, the Opposition refused to withdraw the objection and the AGP, BJP and AUDF staged a walkout.

The Amendment Bill was passed by a voice vote in absence of the three Opposition parties.

UNI