Tirkey takes up Orind crisis

BHUBANESWAR: Independent MLA from Birmitrapur George Tirkey on Thursday squatted in the well of the Assembly demanding a ruling from Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat to the Government to resolve the Orind crisis.Tirkey, who had given a notice to the Speaker on the Orind impasse on Wednesday, raised the issue in the House during zero hour. Expressing concern over plight of the workers who have not received salary for more than a year, Tirkey sought immediate Government intervention.He threatened to launch a dharna near the Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises if the Speaker did not give a ruling to the Government. However, his demand was lost in the Opposition ruckus. The Congress was demanding a discussion on its adjournment motion notice on reserved vacant posts for scheduled categories.As the Opposition trooped into the well of the House shouting anti-Government slogans, Tirkey squatted in the well. Anup Sai of the Congress joined Tirkey, who remained there till the House was adjourned at 1 pm.Tirkey raised the issue again after lunch break. The Speaker directed the Labour and Employment Minister to make a statement on the Orind problem on Friday.Employees of the defunct refractory plant have not received salary for more than a year and they have been agitating before the labour office at Rourkela, Tirkey said.