Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. , Photo Credit: PTI
The Assam Legislative Assembly was postponed thrice on Wednesday (February 19, 2025), when both the ruling and opposition members suspended other regular businesses of the day and demanded a discussion on various issues.
The opposition brought four adjournment movements, while the Treasury Bench sought a discussion on a recent report on the APSC Cash-For-Job Scam.
Local movements were on Coal mine tragedy of Umrangaso Congress, coal and other syndicate by CPI (M), torture of Indian citizens at a prevention center by AIUDF and Cash-for-Job Scam in Assam Public Service Commission by independent MLA Akhil Gogoi.
As soon as the time of question is over, both sides threw it into the well of the house and pressed them for their demands.
In a rare example, the ruling coalition led by the BJP raised slogans and clapped inside the well, while the speaker was asked to allow the Forest-Man Justice (RTD) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission to discuss the report on the APSC scam.
Although the entire opposition was demanding that the speaker accepts his four notices, the AIUDF reportedly displayed the placards in the name of foreigners or for the tortured people, showcasing the placards and placed it in a detention center.
Speaker Biswaji Damery rejected all five demands and said, “You can pick up the subjects through other equipment. Please go back and increase the problem from your seats.” However, no one accepted his request and continued to chant the slogan inside the well.
The speaker then adjourned the house for 10 minutes.
When the house started again, anarchy continued and the same situation remained strong.
“We have a discussion on the Governor’s speech. There is no scope for any other discussion today. It is now zero hour, so please allow the House to work,” said Mr. Damri.
No one paid attention to his appeal, the speaker postponed the House for the second time for 10 minutes.
As soon as the house gathered, the same noise situation was screaming from the well with both the ruling and the opposition.
For the third time the speaker postponed the House for 20 minutes.
When the assembly started again, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the government is ready to discuss all four issues.
He said, “We have no problem in discussing topics. This budget session will continue for one month. Therefore, I request the speaker to give any day time to discuss these issues.”
Subsequently, both sides calmed down and then the general business began.
Published – 19 February, 2025 01:31 pm IST
