BHUBANESWAR: The Assembly was repeatedly adjourned on Monday due to pandemonium by the Opposition members over the Speaker’s refusal for a discussion on the recent liquor tragedy, which claimed 38 lives.The disruption continued from pre-lunch session till the evening hours as Congress and BJP members pressed for an adjournment motion debate. Agitated members trooped into the well while some of them climbed atop the desk shouting slogans after Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat disallowed the discussion.“I cannot allow a debate on the matter that is pending for inquiry by a judicial commission. It will create a bad precedence if the notice is allowed when a judicial probe is on,” Amat said in his ruling, which annoyed the Opposition members. As per the parliamentary procedure and practice, there cannot be further discussion on a matter which has been already debated and the Minister has given his replies, he said.The Speaker’s ruling came after Excise Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak and several members of the treasury benches argued against the admissibility of the adjournment notice given by the Congress. He was supported by ruling party members. Justifying the ruling, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty said as per the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Orissa Legislative Assembly, the Speaker gave his ruling after hearing statement of facts from the Excise Minister. However, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh and Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan pointed out a number of instances where the Speakers have allowed debates on the subjects under inquiry by judicial commission.Harichandan cited that the Speaker had allowed discussion on the Rourkela incident (alleged police assault on a magistrate) which is being probed by a judicial commission. This House also discussed the Balangir student death case when it was under judicial probe, he recalled. Bhupinder Singh said, “If you (Speaker) cannot prevent media reporting the matter, how can the MLAs be prevented from expressing their views on the incident which claimed 38 lives.” Independent member Pratap Sarangi alleged that the Government is scared of a debate on the hooch tragedy which allegedly had its link with the Chief Minister. Opposition members also demanded a statement from the Government on the reason behind the resignation of the then Excise minister A U Singhdeo on moral grounds following the tragedy while the Health Minister refused to quit on similar grounds.
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