Bhubaneswar, November 29:The main opposition parties, Biju Janata Dal- BJD and Congress, on Saturday staged a walkout from the Odisha Assembly, protesting the cancellation of over eight lakh ration cards in the state.
The issue came to light during a heated debate triggered by the admissibility of an adjournment motion filed by BJD's chief whip, Pramila Mallik. The motion, aimed at discussing the cancellations, led to a fierce exchange of words between opposition members and the treasury benches.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, KC Patra, countered the allegations. He clarified that the state government had cancelled 8,16,056 ration cards, but only after a thorough e-KYC verification process.
