BHUBANESWAR: The Opposition members on Friday stalled the Assembly after question hour and forced the Speaker to adjourn the House twice as they stormed into the well accusing the State Government of ignoring the demand for regular grant-in-aid by teachers of 1,983 block grant schools agitating since August 1.Raising the issue during zero hour, MLAs of both the Congress and the BJP criticised the Government for the manner in which it has dealt with the agitating teachers of block grant schools where over 3.8 lakh students were deprived of education for the last 19 days due to the strike.Several BJD members also expressed grave concern over the situation and urged the Speaker to direct the Government to solve the problem, which has disrupted classes across the State. As the Opposition legislators trooped into the well seeking appropriate steps for regular release of grant-in-aid to the schools under private management, some of them tried to climb the Speaker’s podium and desk.Criticising the Government for ignoring the demands of the teachers, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh demanded a ruling from the Speaker. Though the Opposition members want a discussion, the ruling party is avoiding this, he charged.The crisis has arisen despite the fact that the Government had given a written assurance to the block grant school teachers on November 29, 2010 that their demands would be considered, he said.Former minister Damodar Rout maintained that neglecting education and ignoring the demands of the teachers are grave crimes. He criticised the arbitrary nature in which the School and Mass Education department is being run. Hundreds of “siksha sahayaks” have been transferred flouting the guidelines. These things have affected the education system in the entire State, he said.As the Opposition members occupied the well amidst uproarious scenes, the House was first adjourned for 15 minutes. Soon after it reassembled, the House was again adjourned till 3 pm amid similar scenes.
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