GUWAHATI, Aug 31 - The Opposition Congress and AIUDF today staged a walkout in the Assembly on the first day of the autumn session after Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami disallowed two similar adjournment motions on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Congress and AIUDF had given separate notices for adjournment of proceedings of the House to discuss the COVID-19 situation and its impact on different aspects of life in the State.
Speaking on the admissibility of the adjournment motion, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia and AIUDF leader Hafiz Bashir Ahmed said the matter was of utmost importance.
�There was a need to discuss the health concerns as well as financial impact of the pandemic in the State,� Saikia said, alleging discrepancies in the treatment protocol for non-COVID patients that has lead to many deaths in the State.
He also claimed that whereas COVID-19 cases decreased due to lockdown in other states, in Assam, the number of cases increased.
Saikia alleged that the State government is enforcing lockdown in Assam even though the Centre has said there should be no lockdowns now.
�The State is not following ICMR and Central government guidelines. Many things are contradictory,� he added.
Alleging that the government has failed to manage the pandemic, AIUDF leader Hafiz Bashir Ahmed said the COVID-19 situation is posing a great loss for the students in pursuing their education uninterrupted, which is a major cause of concern.
Citing various reports, he also pointed to the financial distress the people are facing due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, adding that the prevailing situation could also lead to serious security concerns.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, putting forward the government�s opposition to the adjournment motion, said the government is ready to present all facts before the Assembly, but the discussion should be initiated through other procedural devices and not adjournment motion.
�The Chief Minister has himself said that the government is ready to answer all concerns. The Health Minister also spoke to me this morning and said all facts will be presented. But it cannot be through an adjournment motion,� Patowary said, citing that rules which say that �a matter continuing for some time� and �a matter which can be raised through other procedural devices� cannot be raised through adjournment motion.
Speaker Goswami, disallowing the adjournment, said since the government is prepared for discussion on the COVID-19 situation, the Opposition can initiate the discussion through other provisions.
�Refusal is my absolute power. The issue can be discussed through other devices,� Goswami said.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, both the Opposition parties took to their feet and displayed placards demanding discussion on the COVID-19 issue.
The Congress and AIUDF members then staged a walkout in the House when the Speaker remained unrelenting on his
