Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Members today created uproar in the Odisha Legislative Assembly demanding clarification from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over his remark that the previous BJD Government had sold ASO jobs at a price of Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh.
As soon as the House assembled for the day at 10.30 AM, the BJD MLAs rushed to the well of the Assembly and sought slogans against the BJP government and demanded a clarification from the Chief Minister on his claim.
As the BJD Members tried to climb to the podium of the Speaker, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 11.30 AM.
When the House reassembled for the Zero Hour, BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik said the Chief Minister’s 6 December statement is a great insult for the ASO, who qualified the recruitment exam and is now serving in the government. It has also weakened the willpower of the ASO job aspirants of the state, she said.
“Such a cheap statement from the Chief Minister is not acceptable. I want to ask whether he can tell me the shop and market where the jobs are on sale. If the CM is claiming that he knows the persons involved in the job scam, why has no action been taken against them even after six months have passed since BJP came to power in the state?” asked Shrimati Mallik.
She demanded the Speaker to expunge the statement of the Chief Minister from the proceedings.
Responding to Shrimati Mallik’s statement, outside the House, BJP MLA Manas Dutta said, “CM Mohan Majhi is well aware of the irregularities done during the 24 years of ruling by the BJD as he is not new to the House. The BJD is only trying not to make any changes in OPSC and OSSSC Bills. I request the Opposition to refrain themselves from cheap politics.”
Yesterday, while presenting the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 in the Odisha Assembly, CM Shri Majhi launched a scathing attack on the previous BJD Government.
There was no transparency in recruitment during the previous government. There was corruption everywhere. Irregularities in recruitment practices extended into the state’s secretariat as well. Assistant Section Officer (ASO) jobs were sold at Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh each, Shri Majhi had alleged.