Orissa assembly paralysed over pulses scam

Bhubaneswar, Mar 11: Amid uproar, the Orissa assembly was paralysed today (Mar 11) following repeated adjournments as Opposition Congress members stormed into the well demanding CBI probe into the multi-crore pulses scam and stringent action against those involved.

As the House assembled for the second phase of the budget session after a fortnight-long break, leader of opposition and senior Congress legislator Bhupinder Singh slammed the BJD government accusing it of failing to take proper action in the dal scandal.

Alleging tardy progress in the probe being conducted by the vigilance wing into irregularities in purchase of dal for mid-day meal (MDM) and supplimentary nutrition programme (SNP) meant for school children and pregnant women, Congress MLAs tropped into the well.

Shouting slogans in favour of a CBI probe into the matter, some of the Congress members attempted to climb the Speaker's podium as the BJP members lashed out at the government on the dal scam from their seats.

The opposition members also demanded that inquiry into the scandal be widened to cover all the 30 districts instead of confining it to a handful of districts.

Asking the government to give details about the action taken in the matter, they said almost all the culprits were moving scotfree though a minister had resigned over the issue.

Apart from Bhupinder Singh, Congress members, including Anup Sai and party''s chief whip Prasad Harichandan, also raised the issue through special mention.

As noisy scenes persisted, the House was adjourned at least four times causing disruptions in the proceedings during the day.

PTI