Bhubaneswar, 18 February (H.S.): The Odisha Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session on Wednesday witnessed significant disruptions, forcing the House to be adjourned until 4 pm after Opposition members staged a protest over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement.

Soon after proceedings began, legislators from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress raised slogans against the government, alleging mismanagement in paddy mandis across the state. Several members rushed to the Well of the House, holding bundles of paddy to symbolically represent farmers’ grievances. Senior BJD leader Romanch Ranjan Biswal drew attention by carrying a bundle of paddy on his head.

In a dramatic display, Opposition members placed paddy on the reporters’ table, intensifying their protest and demanding urgent government intervention to address procurement delays and alleged irregularities affecting farmers.

Despite repeated appeals by Speaker Surama Padhy to maintain decorum, the commotion continued. With the House unable to conduct scheduled business, the Speaker initially adjourned the session until 11:30 am. When proceedings resumed, further disruptions by Opposition members led the Speaker to adjourn the Assembly again, this time until 4 pm.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda