Bhubaneswar, Feb 18: As apprehended, the Budget Session (Sixth Session) of the 16th Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA) began on a stormy note on Thursday with Opposition Congress and BJP members protesting “untrue” figures in Governor’s speech and staging walkouts a few minutes after Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal started addressing the House.
Alleging that the Governor is reading out a statement written by the State Government, Congress members shouted slogans raising issues of border dispute in Kotia area in Koraput district, rise is petrol and diesel prices and “worsening” law and order situation in the State. They soon staged a walkout in protest.
Similarly, BJP members wanted to know why issues of Kotia dispute, Mandi irregularities and law and order situation have not figured in the Governor’s Address. In protest, they too staged a walkout.
Notably, the Budget Session began today will continue in two phases till April 9, 2021. Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari will present the State’s Annual Budget for 2021-22 in the House on February 22. The first phase will end on February 27, while the second phase will begin from March 12.