Orissa Assembly adjourned over lawyers strike

Bhubaneswar, Mar 13 (UNI) Opposition Congress today created a ruckus in Orissa Assembly over a debate on ongoing lawyers' agitation in the state, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House twice till 1500 hours.

The Opposition, who have been pressing for an adjournment motion on the lawyers' agitation over the setting up of a permanent bench of Orissa High court, objected to Deputy Speaker Prahallad Dora's decision to allow BJP member Mahesh Sahu to raise the issue through a special mention.

Congress Chief Whip S B Sahu sought a clarification from the Chair as to whether the adjournment motion would be taken up today or not, while his party colleague Nalini Mohanty demanded a ruling on the matter.

When Congress Deputy Leader Narashingh Mishra took exception to the Chair's action in calling Treasury bench members to raise the issue, Deputy Speaker expressed regret and allowed Mr Mishra to move the special mention on the lawyers' agitation.

But the situation did not cool down there as the members from the treasury bench started accusing the Congress-led UPA government for not conceding to the demand for an IIT in the state. This led to a pandemonium in the House, forcing the Deputy Speaker to adjourn the house till 1300 hours.

The House reassembled at 1300 hours to be adjourned again at 1303 hours. It ultimately broke for ;unch at 1500 hours as pandemonium prevailed within the House, with the Opposition crowding at the well and shouting slogans in support of their demand.

MORE UNI DP LL RC RS1724