Bhubaneswar, 24 February (H.S.) : On the seventh day of the Odisha Legislative Assembly session, the Question Hour was disrupted due to a strong protest by opposition MLAs. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) legislators raised several issues concerning farmers, resulting in a commotion on the floor.

According to the scheduled agenda, the Assembly proceedings began at 10:30 a.m. Speaker Smt. Surma Padhi called on Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishnachandra Mahapatra to answer a question regarding drainage. The minister had just begun his response when opposition MLAs started shouting and creating a ruckus, making it difficult for their voices to be heard even in the press gallery.

The BJD MLAs raised concerns over paddy mandi issues, irregularities in paddy procurement, and other problems faced by farmers. They moved to the central part of the Assembly hall and continued their slogans. The Speaker repeatedly requested the members to maintain decorum and cooperate with the proceedings, but the appeals went unheeded.

Consequently, the Speaker adjourned the Question Hour at 10:38 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. When the proceedings resumed at 11:30 a.m., the zero hour was also disrupted by opposition MLAs. During the commotion, the Speaker allowed Congress and BJP legislators to raise their points. As the protest intensified, the Speaker finally announced the adjournment of the zero hour at 12:05 p.m.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda