BHUBANESWAR: The Congress on Friday slammed the state government over growing incidents of crime against women in the state.
Raising the issue during the zero hour, leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra criticized the state government. He also demanded a statement from chief minister Naveen Patnaik over the issue as he heads the state home department over deteriorating law.
Citing alleged rape of a three-year old girl at Rajkanika in Kendrapada district, Mishra lashed out at the police and questioned its intention.
"The incident occurred on November 13. When mother of the minor rushed to police station to lodge the FIR, it was not registered by the police immediately as the lady claimed to be a supporter of the Congress party. The FIR was registered a day later. When I came to know about the incident, I spoke to the DG of police following which action was taken and the culprit was nabbed," Mishra said.
Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati also slammed the state government over the issue and made some unsavory remarks against the chief minister which triggered sharp reaction from the treasury bench.
Subsequently, the Congress MLAs trooped into the well and shouted slogans against the chief minister. They also urged the speaker to direct the chief minister to make a statement in the house. As ruckus continued, the speaker adjourned the house for 15 minutes.
Briefing reporters outside, government chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy refused the opposition charges and said chief minister Naveen Patnaik has directed for prompt action on cases related to women and children.
When the house reassembled, Congress MLA Prafulla Majhi demanded adjournment of the house so that MLAs can grace the inaugural session of the Hockey World League final started at Kalinga Stadium on Friday. The government chief whip also supported the demand following which the speaker adjourned the house till Monday.
After three days of disruption, the question hour ran smoothly for the first time on Friday where members cutting across party lines raised concerns over undeclared power cuts for hours in many parts of the state.
Replying to queries, energy minister Prafulla Mallik admitted power cuts and attributed it for maintenance work and shortage of coal to thermal power plants. "The state government is trying all out to strengthen the distribution network to ensure uninterrupted power supply to its consumers," Mallik said.
Ruling party MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain and industries minister Niranjan Pujari locked horn over a question. Swain asked whether the state produces any products like laptop, cycle, school uniform, umbrella, shoes and blanket—which is being distributed by the state government as freebies.
Pujari, in response, said the question should not be allowed as it is not particular. He also said industries department is only dealing with heavy industries.
Taking it an opportunity, the Congress and BJP alleges huge kickbacks in procurement of these freebies.
Raising the issue during the zero hour, leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra criticized the state government. He also demanded a statement from chief minister Naveen Patnaik over the issue as he heads the state home department over deteriorating law.
Citing alleged rape of a three-year old girl at Rajkanika in Kendrapada district, Mishra lashed out at the police and questioned its intention.
"The incident occurred on November 13. When mother of the minor rushed to police station to lodge the FIR, it was not registered by the police immediately as the lady claimed to be a supporter of the Congress party. The FIR was registered a day later. When I came to know about the incident, I spoke to the DG of police following which action was taken and the culprit was nabbed," Mishra said.
Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati also slammed the state government over the issue and made some unsavory remarks against the chief minister which triggered sharp reaction from the treasury bench.
Subsequently, the Congress MLAs trooped into the well and shouted slogans against the chief minister. They also urged the speaker to direct the chief minister to make a statement in the house. As ruckus continued, the speaker adjourned the house for 15 minutes.
Briefing reporters outside, government chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy refused the opposition charges and said chief minister Naveen Patnaik has directed for prompt action on cases related to women and children.
When the house reassembled, Congress MLA Prafulla Majhi demanded adjournment of the house so that MLAs can grace the inaugural session of the Hockey World League final started at Kalinga Stadium on Friday. The government chief whip also supported the demand following which the speaker adjourned the house till Monday.
After three days of disruption, the question hour ran smoothly for the first time on Friday where members cutting across party lines raised concerns over undeclared power cuts for hours in many parts of the state.
Replying to queries, energy minister Prafulla Mallik admitted power cuts and attributed it for maintenance work and shortage of coal to thermal power plants. "The state government is trying all out to strengthen the distribution network to ensure uninterrupted power supply to its consumers," Mallik said.
Ruling party MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain and industries minister Niranjan Pujari locked horn over a question. Swain asked whether the state produces any products like laptop, cycle, school uniform, umbrella, shoes and blanket—which is being distributed by the state government as freebies.
Pujari, in response, said the question should not be allowed as it is not particular. He also said industries department is only dealing with heavy industries.
Taking it an opportunity, the Congress and BJP alleges huge kickbacks in procurement of these freebies.
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