Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 22: Both Opposition and treasury benches Saturday sought necessary amendments in the proposed Land Grabbing (prohibition) Bill 2015 that was introduced by the state government in the assembly August 19 to replace an ordinance.
After normalcy prevailed in the house in post-lunch session, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra urged the Speaker not to take up the bill for discussion Saturday and sought amendments in the bill prior to its consideration and passing.
Urging the Speaker not to allow the bill for discussion, Mishra said, “There are many loopholes in the bill and a short debate is not enough to plug them.”
While urging the revenue minister and the government to take opposition into confidence and hold talks with law officials prior to discussion on the bill, he said the interest of the poor needs to be protected. He urged the Speaker to hold discussions on the bill Monday.
Supporting Mishra’s view, BJD member Ranendra Pratap Swain said the definition of ‘land’ in the bill is not clear and that thorough discussion needs to be done in this regard.
BJD member Dibya Shankar Mishra said, “The bill, if passed without required amendments, will help the rich grab more government lands.”
BJP legislature party leader Basant Panda, Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati, BJD member Amar Satpathy and a few other members supported the view of Mishra.
Revenue minister Bijayshree Routray, who assured the house that the interest of the poor, landless and slum dwellers will be protected under the bill, said he agrees with the proposal of the opposition leader.
Shortly afterwards, the Speaker adjourned the house for 30 minutes and convened a meeting with the Leader of Opposition, the revenue minister, parliamentary affairs minister Bikram Keshrari Arukh and BJD chief whip Ananta Das.
When the house reassembled at 3.50 pm the Speaker deferred the clause wise discussion on the Land Grabbing (prevention) Bill, 2015 to Monday at the request of the Leader of Opposition and adjourned the house for the day.