Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: The opposition today stalled the Assembly proceedings over paddy procurement on the second day of the Budget Session.

Angry BJP and Congress members caused uproar in the House as soon as the Question Hour began today. They alleged that the procurement agencies were not lifting paddy in the mandis, thus harassing the farmers and forcing them to sell the paddy to private traders at throw away prices.

The Deputy Leader of Opposition BJP, Bishnu Charan Sethi, demanded that the paddy bags lying in the mandis be immediately purchased so that the farmers can be benefited.

Congress legislator Adhiraj Panigrahi said that the party had given a notice to the Speaker to allow a special motion on farmer issue. However, the Speaker did not allow the proposal for which the opposition members caused uproar. Until and unless the government lifts the paddy from mandis, and regenerate the lapsed token for paddy procurement, the uproad will continue in the House, he said.

As the uproar continued in the House, Speaker Dr. Surya Narayan Patro adjourned the proceedings till 11.30 pm. The Speaker again adjourned the House till 4 pm as the noisy scenes continued after resumption of the House.

Reacting to the uproar by BJP members, BJD MLA Saroj Meher said the saffron party is causing uproar in the House to divert the attention from the fuel price hike.

Senior ruling party MLA Debi Mishra said that the Question Hour should not be stalled. The issue could be raised in separate forum. The government is ready for discussion on any issue to be raised by the opposition.