Bhubaneswar, 12 March (H.S.): Proceedings in the Odisha Legislative Assembly were repeatedly disrupted on Thursday as Congress legislators created a ruckus over the alleged shortage of cooking gas, forcing adjournments and preventing the smooth conduct of Question Hour and Zero Hour. Eventually, the House was adjourned till 4 pm.

The Assembly session began at the scheduled time of 10:30 am. Speaker Surama Padhy was about to begin Question Hour. In the absence of Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling started responding to questions in the House.

However, Congress MLAs soon raised the issue of cooking gas shortage, alleging that people were facing severe hardships due to the situation. The legislators entered the well of the House holding placards and began shouting slogans against the government.

Despite repeated appeals from Speaker Surama Padhy urging the members to cooperate and allow the House to function smoothly, the protesting MLAs continued their sloganeering. As the situation remained tense, the Speaker adjourned the House until 11:30 am.

When the House reconvened at 11:30 am, Congress MLAs resumed their protest on the same issue, raising slogans such as “Double-engine government, double betrayal will not be tolerated” and demanding a reduction in cooking gas prices.

The Speaker informed the members that Zero Hour was in progress and advised them to return to their seats and present their concerns through proper procedure. However, the protesting MLAs refused to relent and continued their demonstration.

Amid the uproar, ruling party legislators Irasis Acharya and Santosh Khatua were given the opportunity to speak, but the proceedings could not continue smoothly due to the persistent disruption. The Speaker then adjourned the House until 12:10 pm.

When the House reconvened again, similar scenes were witnessed as opposition members continued their protest over the same issue. In view of the continuing disorder, Speaker Surama Padhy finally adjourned the Assembly proceedings until 4 pm.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda