Bhubaneswar, Dec 01 (UNI) Odisha Minister of Finance Niranjan Pujari presented Rs 19,833 crore supplementary budget in the state Assembly for approval amidst vociferous protest by the Opposition BJP and the Congress members over the issue of Mamita Meher murder case.
The opposition members were demanding the sacking and arrest of Minister of state for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra for his involvement in the Kalahandi school teacher Mamita Meher murder case.
Presenting the supplementary budget ,Mr Pujari said additional fund is required among other things for completion of important ongoing projects under the state sector, post budget announcements like packages related to Covid victims, financial support to different category of people, revised procedure for release of funds under the centrally sponsored scheme, on going central sector and centrally sponsored schemes , new CSS schemes launched by Union government and recoupment of advance taken from contingency fund.
Mr Pujari said the supplementary budget is aimed at fulfilling the requirement of funds for public welfare and developmental activities in the state mainly through reallocation of available resources and receipt of tied up resources from various sources.
Out of the total Rs 19,833 crore While a provision for Rs 4,577 crore has been made towards administrative expenditure, Rs 13,568 crore has been earmarked for programme expenditure, Rs 1,682 crore for Disaster Response funds and Rs six crore has been earmarked for transfer from state.
He said the supplementary provision of Rs 13,568 crore under programme expenditure is to be financed by tied up resources to the extent of Rs 6,137 crore and through additional collection of own revenue to the extent of Rs 7431 crore.
Department wise a sum of Rs 3,624 crore has been earmarked for Panchayatiraj raj and drinking water, Rs 2310 crore for health and family welfare department , Rs 2143 crore for energy and Rs 1684 crore for disaster management in the supplementary budget.
Soon after the Finance Minister presented the supplementary budget amidst the chaos the Speaker adjourned the house till 1030hrs tomorrow.
The problem began as soon as the house assembled at 1700hrs . The members of the BJP rushed to the well carrying placards and black towels and shouted slogans demanding the sacking and arrest of the Minister of state for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged involvement in the Mahaling school teacher Mamita Meher Murder case.
They also demanded a CBI probe into the murder case. At the same time the Congress members carrying placards also rushed to the well and shouted slogans demanding the removal of Mr Mishra from the Council of Ministers and a court monitored SIT probe into the incident.
Amidst the slogans shouting by opposition members, the Finance Minister presented the supplementary budget in the house for approval.
In the morning before the house assembled the Congress members carrying posters sat on a dharna in two entry gates of the Assembly and locked the third gate in support of their demand.
The Congress members locked the gate to prevent Minister of state for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra to enter the house.
Congress Member Tara Prasad Bahinipati said Assembly is a holy place and they do not want the Minister to enter the house and impure its sanctity.
Outside the house Opposition Chief whip Mohan Majhi at a press conference said the Chief Minister is shielding the accused Minister even though he is involved in the murder of Mamita Meher.
He said monitoring of the investigation into the Mamita Meher murder case by a former district judge is a well planned conspiracy to protect the Minister.
UNI BD KK