Bhubaneswar, 23 September (H.S.): Proceedings in the first half of the Odisha Legislative Assembly were disrupted for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as Opposition legislators staged protests and raised slogans demanding the withdrawal of the MMDR Act, which they described as detrimental to the interests of Odisha.

The uproar prevented the smooth conduct of the Question Hour, Zero Hour and other scheduled business. With the disruption continuing, Deputy Speaker Bhawani Shankar Bhoi adjourned the House till 4 p.m.

According to the scheduled programme, the Assembly proceedings began at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday. Deputy Speaker Bhoi initiated the Question Hour, but Opposition members soon began raising slogans over the MMDR Act.

The protesting legislators left their respective seats and entered the Well of the House, holding placards carrying slogans opposing the MMDR Act and demanding its withdrawal.

Amid the din, Deputy Speaker Bhoi called Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra to respond to a question raised by Balasore MLA Manas Dutta. Despite the continued sloganeering, the minister proceeded with his reply.

Dutta subsequently raised a supplementary question. However, due to the intense noise in the House, his voice could not be heard clearly even in the media gallery.

The Deputy Speaker appealed to the protesting Opposition members to return to their seats and cooperate in ensuring the smooth functioning of the House. However, the legislators continued their protest and slogan-shouting, leaving the proceedings disrupted.

Deputy Speaker Bhoi subsequently called Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo to respond to another question. Singh Deo began delivering his reply amid the continued uproar.

As the situation did not improve, the Deputy Speaker announced the adjournment of the House till 4 p.m.

The disruption came a day after the Monsoon Session of the Odisha Assembly began on Tuesday. Proceedings on the opening day were also affected by Opposition protests over the demand for withdrawal of the MMDR Act and the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.

The Opposition began its protest after the House passed condolence resolutions for deceased former legislators and expressed concern over the floods in Nepal. The continued uproar subsequently prevented normal legislative business from being conducted on the first day of the session as well.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda