Bhubaneswar: The budget session of Orissa
Assembly beginning tomorrow is likely to be a stormy affair
with opposition parties gearing up to attack the BJD
government over the issue of corruption including the alleged
`dal scam`.
Apart from opposition Congress and BJP, NCP which is
supporting the Naveen Patnaik government is all set to corner
the ruling BJD over alleged irregularities in purchase of
pulses for mid-day meal scheme and supplementary nutrition
programme meant for children and pregnant women.
"Corruption is rampant during the BJD rule. After
mining and coal scandals, now pulses scam has rocked the
state," Congress Chief Whip in the assembly Prasad Harichandan
told reporters here.
Unlike other corruption issues, the `dal scam` has
directly affected common people for which the BJD government
is responsible, he said, alleging that about one crore
children and women were made to consume contaminated,
sub-standard and adulterated `dal` and thus exposed to health
hazards.
Congress would raise the `dal scandal` issue both
inside the assembly and outside, another senior leader said.
Expressing similar views, BJP Legislature Party leader
K V Singhdeo said his party would raise the `dal scam` during
the budget session along with all other issues of corruption
including mining, coal and land scandals.
"However, our intention is not to stall business in
the assembly. We want debate and discussion on major issues
confronting the people," he said.
BJP is also likely to corner the government over
alleged fake encounter in Bargarh district in which a local
party worker was killed recently by securitymen, senior party
leader Jainarayan Mishra said.
PTI
