Patna: The fourth day of the winter session of the Bihar Assembly witnessed dramatic scenes as RJD MLA Bhai Virendra attempted to sit on the Chief Minister’s chair during a heated debate. Speaker Nand Kishore intervened sternly, warning of “serious consequences” and directing marshals to remove him from the House. The incident unfolded as the Speaker facilitated the passage of a bill amidst ongoing opposition protests.
During the session, Land Reforms Minister Dilip Jaiswal addressed concerns about persistent issues with the land survey process. He assured the Assembly that the government is preparing to amend survey rules to address public grievances. Jaiswal announced plans to introduce 13 exemptions in land survey procedures and stated that a proposal for these amendments would soon be presented to the cabinet. He also informed the House that salaries of 139 Circle Officers had been withheld due to negligence in addressing complaints.
The session further saw protests from opposition leaders over the installation of smart meters, both inside and outside the Assembly. Opposition members alleged that the meters have led to a sharp increase in electricity bills, particularly affecting slum dwellers, whose bills have reportedly risen tenfold. They accused the government of forcing the installation of smart meters without resolving public concerns about the cost.
In addition, the government confirmed its plan to table the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for the years 2016 to 2022 during the session. Discussions on subsidy demands in the Second Supplementary Budget for 2024-25 are also underway, despite continued disruptions by opposition members.
Amid the chaos, the Speaker appealed to all members to maintain decorum, emphasising the need for constructive debates on critical issues such as land reforms and public grievances.
