Bhubaneswar, Dec. 3: Congress and BJP members today staged a walkout in the state Assembly expressing their displeasure over the state government's failure to shift the headquarters of the Western Development Council from Bhubaneswar to west Odisha.
Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra said: The development council has failed in its objective to bring overall development in this backward region. The state government is fooling people on the issue of shifting headquarters from Bhubaneswar to west Odisha."
Planning and convergence minister Usha Devi said: "The state government has sought views of the council about a decision on the headquarters of the council. The views of the council are awaited. An appropriate decision will be taken in the matter only after the views of the council are received in this regard."
Mishra also said eminent persons should be appointed as chairman of the council and it should not be turned into a rehabilitation centre for BJD members.
Congress MLA Naba Kishore Das said: "No efforts have been taken by the state government to remove regional disparity, though the avowed objective of the establishment of the council is removal of regional disparity."
The Opposition members also demanded enhancement of the development budget from Rs 100 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.
"Only with Rs 100 crore budget, the council is finding it difficult to carry out major developmental works," said an Opposition party legislator.
Bill passed
The state Assembly today passed the Bihar-Odisha Places Of Pilgrims (Odisha Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Henceforth, the Puri district collector will take the decision on the utilisation of the Lodging House Fund, which was constituted according to provisions of the Bihar-Odisha Places of Pilgrimage Act, 1920. Earlier, the power was vested with the member, Board of Revenue, who enjoys the status of chief secretary.
The Assembly also passed the Odisha Industries Service (Validation of Appointment of Assistant Managers and Assistant Directors) Bill and Odisha Development Authorities (Amendment) Bill.
