The ruling All India N.R. Congress and the opposition Congress and the AIADMK members locked horns, over the issue of re-employing retrenched workers, in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly on Thursday resulting in noisy scenes during the question hour.

Minutes after the House resumed for discussion, the Congress members led by the Opposition Leader V. Vaithilingam and the AIADMK leader led by its floor leader A. Anbazhagan raised objection over the non-listing of questions on retrenchment of part time and daily wage workers.

They said that it was the main issue before the government.

Almost all opposition members were on their feet insisting that the retrenched workers’ issue should be taken up for discussion.

V. Kothandaraman, Speaker of the Assembly, said that considering the various dimensions involved in the issue, the members could meet him at his chamber for a detailed discussion.

There was no specific reason for not scheduling the issue in the House, he said.

Opposition members, not satisfied with the Speaker’s reply, continued to raise questions. They said that the government should not act in an unfair manner. It should come out with its stand on retrenched workers, whether they would be accommodated or not.

Amid chaos, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said that he was committed to take back the workers as promised.

However, the members should view the issue in right perspective considering the current financial difficulties.

Not satisfied, some members of AIADMK rushed towards the Speaker’s chair and argued with him for refusing to take up the issue . Even after repeated pleas, they refused to resume their seats.