Agartala, Feb 26 : The proceedings in Tripura Assembly were today marred by noisy scenes and two successive adjournments over pay and allowance benefits for state government employees.

Later, the House transacted usual business and passed two unanimous resolutions congratulating the Slumdog Millionaire team for winning three Oscars for India and Tripura girl Sourabhee Debbarma for making it to the top three in Indian Idol.

Trouble started when Speaker Ramendra Debnath signalled the commencement of the scheduled Question Hour at 11am.

Leader of the Opposition Ratanlal Nath stood up to press for an adjournment motion for an urgent discussion on the “deprivation of the state’s 1.5 lakh employees” in the name of upward revision of pay and allowances upon the recommendations of the Pay Review Committee.

The Speaker rejected Nath’s plea summarily and asked the ministers to continue with their replies to “starred” queries.

However, backed by nine Congress MLAs and the lone INPT legislator, Bijay Kumar Hrangkhawal, Nath kept on pressing for the adjournment.

The Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes but the scenes were re-enacted after the House reassembled. 

A second adjournment of 15 more minutes followed and then the proceedings moved smoothly.

Chief minister Manik Sarkar assured the House that a bill raising salaries and allowances of members would be presented in the current budget session.

Congress legislator Sudip Roy Barman moved a motion congratulating the Slumdog team and Sourabhee.

While these resolutions were passed unanimously, the Speaker rejected the MLA’s plea for a joint appeal for vote in favour of Sourabhee.