Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly was adjourned till 3 PM today amidst uproar by both Congress and BJP members demanding immediate appointment of Lokayukta in the state.
As soon as the house met for the day, members from both the opposition parties trooped into the well of the house shouting slogans in support of their demands.
The opposition legislators were also seen holding placards levelling corruption charges against Naveen Government.
Amidst this noisy scenes, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat appealed the agitating members to go back to their seats pleading he has to adjourn the house if members do not want to run the house in order.
Later, the Speaker adjourned the house till 3 PM today.
Notably, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, got the President’s nod on January 1, 2014 and came into force from January 16, 2014.
Section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas states that every state shall establish a body to be known as the Lokayukta. However, 12 states including Odisha are yet to appoint Lokayuktas.
On March 23, 2018, the Supreme Court sought reply from the states on why they had not appointed Lokayuktas. It has also asked them to specify by when they would appoint a Lokayukta.
