Bhubaneswar: There was chaos in the assembly on Tuesday as Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra protested inside the well of the house pressing for a ruling from speaker Pramila Mallik to state govt for a vigilance probe into land acquisition for Vedanta Group in Puri.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Narasingha read out verdicts against the company and alleged that the government had extended undue favours to the company.Pointing out that the Lokpal, Orissa high court and the Supreme Court had issued directions against the land acquisition for Vedanta, he said state govt had taken no action against erring government officials.
Mishra said though the company had sought 3,000 acres of land, the government had taken steps to hand over 15,000 acres. The govt made a four-lane road for the company and waived off various taxes, he said.
Alleging a multi-crore scam, the Congress leader sought a direction from the speaker for a probe. After Mallik said she will examine the demand, Narasingha sought specific assurance and protested, forcing the speaker to adjourn the proceedings till 4pm.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Mishra said the speaker did not make specific commitment. “I wanted an assurance for a ruling before end of the current session,” he said.
Government chief whip Prasanta Muduli said the speaker assured Mishra to look into the issue.
Upholding an Orissa HC order, the Supreme Court on April 12, 2023 had ruled that acquisition of more than 8,000 acres of land for Vedanta Group’s proposed university project along Puri-Konark Marine Drive was illegal.
The SC had dismissed an appeal by Vedanta Group-controlled Anil Agarwal Foundation against the HC order and observed “non-application of mind” in the acquisition by the state government and “undue favours” shown to the company.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Narasingha read out verdicts against the company and alleged that the government had extended undue favours to the company.Pointing out that the Lokpal, Orissa high court and the Supreme Court had issued directions against the land acquisition for Vedanta, he said state govt had taken no action against erring government officials.
Mishra said though the company had sought 3,000 acres of land, the government had taken steps to hand over 15,000 acres. The govt made a four-lane road for the company and waived off various taxes, he said.
Alleging a multi-crore scam, the Congress leader sought a direction from the speaker for a probe. After Mallik said she will examine the demand, Narasingha sought specific assurance and protested, forcing the speaker to adjourn the proceedings till 4pm.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Mishra said the speaker did not make specific commitment. “I wanted an assurance for a ruling before end of the current session,” he said.
Government chief whip Prasanta Muduli said the speaker assured Mishra to look into the issue.
Upholding an Orissa HC order, the Supreme Court on April 12, 2023 had ruled that acquisition of more than 8,000 acres of land for Vedanta Group’s proposed university project along Puri-Konark Marine Drive was illegal.
The SC had dismissed an appeal by Vedanta Group-controlled Anil Agarwal Foundation against the HC order and observed “non-application of mind” in the acquisition by the state government and “undue favours” shown to the company.