Paddy issue stalls Assembly proceedings for third day; House adjourned till 4 pm

Bhubaneswar, Mar 15: The issue of alleged failure of the government to procure paddy from the farmers continued to dominate the proceedings of the Odisha Assembly for the third day today. Speaker Dr Surjya Narayan Patro had to adjourn the proceedings till 4 pm because of the uproar in the House. As soon as the House met today after a break yesterday, Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House demanding government announcement to purchase all the paddy stock of farmers. On the other hand, the ruling BJD MLAs sought apology from BJP's Subash Panigrahi for attempting suicide in the House on Friday. They alleged that Panigrahi has destroyed the sanctity of the House by trying to commit suicide.   The Opposition members threatened that they would not allow the House to run till the government announces to purchase all paddy stocks from the farmers. As both sides remained adamant on their stands, the House could not run. Despite attempts to resolve the deadlock over the issue, noisy  scenes continued in the House forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceeding till the end of the lunch break. Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleged that ruling BJD and Opposition BJP MLAs are hand in glove. Both want the Assembly not to run.  That's why they are doing farce in the Assembly. Both are responsible for stalling the House.   The Congress MLA demanded that an all party meeting be convened by the Speaker to resolve the impasse.