Patna, Aug. 5: The logjam in the Upper House continued today also.

The Opposition stuck to its demand of proper investigation into irregularities in distribution of ration cards and trooped into the Well. The House was adjourned after a continuous uproar.

Mohammad Harun Rashid was elected unopposed as vice-chairman of the Upper House following proposal of his name by Ashok Chaudhary, Rabri Devi, Rajnish Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Kedarnath Pandey, Harendra Pratap Pandey and Dinesh Prasad.

Congratulating Rashid, chief minister Nitish Kumar said: "This is the second term of Rashid ji in the Council. He joined politics as a youth leader in 1974 during JP Movement. He is the best suited person for this post as he has been unbiased towards everyone and in every situation."

Lashing out at the state government for tardy implementation of the Food Security Act in the state, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi in a media conference after the adjournment of the House claimed that about 15 per cent beneficiaries have not been issued fresh ration cards to avail subsidised foodgrain.

"It has been more than one and a half year after the act came into existence in this state. Of the 8.71 crore beneficiaries in Bihar under the act, 1.11 crore people have not been issued fresh ration cards for availing their food quota at subsidised rate of Rs 2 per kg of wheat and Rs 3 per kg of rice. Many eligible beneficiaries were not getting their food quota for months due to poor delivery mechanism," added Modi.

The Food Safety Act in Bihar was implemented from August 4, 2012. In the Assembly session on March 11, 2015, Nitish introduced coupon system. From July 15, it was made compulsory for the beneficiaries to have both ration card and coupon to avail their food quota.

"There are many districts, including Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Supaul and Begusarai, where the eligible beneficiaries have still not got their ration cards. The irregularities in the delivery mechanism are leading to the black marketing of grains. Around 4 .9 lakh tonnes are being lifted by the trucks for distribution. Where are these grains being distributed when over 70 per cent of the beneficiaries do not have ration card? The public distribution system in this state has become a den of black marketing," added Modi.

Sachidanand Rai, MLC from Saran, raised many eyebrows for his sartorial choice. Rai was spotted in ink blue jeans with a white crisp cotton shirt. "It seems Rai ji has come here to attend some party. I have never seen anyone wearing jeans in the past decade. Now he should start taking Council session seriously," said a senior member.

Nitish piloted the Bihar State Public Grievance Redressal Bill during the post-lunch session. Sushil said while he welcomed the move it should be properly monitored or else it would meet the same fate as other legislation. However, Nitish stressed that his right to service act had been a success and over 10 crore people had benefited by it. The Assembly has already passed the bill on Tuesday.