TV
Chaos marred the second day of the Odisha Assembly’s monsoon session on Friday, with proceedings lasting barely four minutes before being adjourned till 4 pm.
The disruption began when the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) raised the issue of fertilizer shortage, leading to loud protests and sloganeering. BJD legislators stormed into the well of the House and marched towards the Speaker’s podium, pressing their demands. Unable to restore order, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House.
According to sources, Congress MLAs had also moved an adjournment motion during Question Hour, seeking a discussion on the fertilizer crisis. But the uproar by BJD members stalled proceedings almost immediately.
The session, which had been scheduled to continue the discussion on key government business, could not proceed due to the interruptions. The BJD members highlighted the lack of essential items, which they claimed was affecting administrative functioning, and demanded immediate action.
While the BJD is claiming that there is a fertilizer shortage, the Minister has refuted the allegations.
“The farmers are protesting across the state over the fertilizer shortage. They are not getting the required amount of fertilizer. While 60 per cent of the total population of the State is farmers, we have requested the Speaker to hold a detailed discussion on their issue. So our demands must be accepted by the Speaker and the government,” said Pramila Mallik, Opposition Chief Whip.
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Meanwhile, the BJP claimed that this is a stunt of the BJD to gain people’s attention.
“Why are they creating a ruckus? They have no morals or ethics. They just want public attention and are trying to defame the BJP government,” said a BJP legislator.
