Assembly adjourns sine die in Puducherry amid protests by DMK and Congress legislators

They were put off by short-duration session; wanted more time to discuss ‘burning issues’

The second session of the 15th Assembly, which lasted for about 20 minutes, adjourned sine die amid Opposition protests on Wednesday.

The House re-assembled at 9.30 a.m., and without transacting any business, adjourned around 9. 50 a.m. In protest against the short session, the DMK and the Congress legislators, staged a walkout.

Though there was no official word on convening the session for such a short duration, the ruling party members said it was done to follow the convention of holding the session every six months. The House was convened in August to pass the annual budget.

Shortly after the House reconvened, Speaker R. Selvam made obituary references to former legislator K. Parasuraman, country’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others who were killed in helicopter crash and playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and then informed the members about the assent given by the President and Lt. Governor to the bills moved in the last session.

The DMK and Congress legislators, led by Opposition leader R. Siva, were on their feet demanding prolonged session for having a discussion on important issues.

Mr. Siva said several burning issues had to be discussed in the House.

The members wanted to debate on the stand of the government on NEET and on the Statehood issue. They also sought a response from the Chief Minister on the promises made to the electors by him and the Central government.