Bhubaneswar, February 20: The Odisha Assembly on Friday witnessed intense disruptions once again on the issue of paddy procurement from farmers. The House was adjourned till 12.15 PM in three phases amid sloganeering.
Meanwhile, Speaker Surama Padhy has called for an all-party meeting to resolve the impasse. According to reports, the all-party meeting is underway at the Speaker’s chamber.
As soon as Question Hour began on the fourth-day of the ongoing Budget Session, members of the BJD and Congress rushed to the well of the House, waving placards and banners and raising slogans against the State Government, bringing proceedings to a standstill.
Congress MLAs staged a symbolic protest by wearing black ribbons, while opposition BJD members demanded the resignation of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra for his failure to address the issues of the farmers.
The opposition has been protesting in the State Assembly for the past two days, alleging large-scale mismanagement in paddy procurement process and the problems being faced by the farmers across the State. Similar scenes unfolded during Question Hour today, with repeated sloganeering and demonstrations and protetsing members trooping into the Well of the House.
Amid the continuing uproar, the Speaker adjourned the House until 11.30 AM. When the House reassembled, similar scenes prevailed forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House 12 noon before convening an all-party meeting to resolve the impasse.
