Proceedings of the Odisha Legislative Assembly were disrupted on Saturday and adjourned within seven minutes of commencement amid noisy protests by Opposition members over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement. Soon after the House assembled, members of the BJD and Congress trooped into the well of the House, raising slogans against the BJP Government. Holding placards and posters, they accused the government of mismanagement in paddy mandis and failing to address farmers’ grievances.Despite repeated appeals by Speaker Surama Padhy, who stood up and urged protesting members to return to their seats, the ruckus continued unabated. With no improvement in the situation, the Speaker first adjourned the House till 11:30 am. However, as disruptions persisted even after reconvening, the Assembly was again adjourned till 4 pm. The issue has triggered sharp political reactions. Deputy Leader of Opposition Prasanna Acharya criticised the government, alleging it lacks the intent to run the House smoothly. He claimed that the government was avoiding discussion on the paddy procurement issue as it would expose its failures.“The farmers of the state are suffering and hitting the streets. The government is not ready to discuss the issue,” Acharya said.Congress Legislature Party leader Ramchandra Kadam also lashed out at the government, accusing it of ignoring farmers’ problems. He alleged that farmers are waiting in mandis with their harvested paddy but are not being issued procurement tokens. “The BJP is preparing for the election, not for the progress of the state. The farmers are struggling, but the government is paying no heed,” Kadam said. BJP Refutes AllegationsRejecting the charges levelled by the BJD and Congress, the BJP countered the Opposition’s claims and blamed them for deliberately stalling the House’s proceedings.
Pandemonium continues in Odisha Assembly over farmers’ issue, House adjourned till 4 pm
