The Monsoon Session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly got off to a turbulent start on Tuesday, with Speaker Surama Padhy forced to adjourn the House till 1:10 PM following intense protests and sloganeering by Opposition members during Question Hour.
The day began on a solemn note as Speaker Surama Padhy entered the chamber at 11 AM, following which the proceedings commenced with the chanting of the national song Vande Mataram and the National Anthem.
Chief Minister and Leader of the House Mohan Charan Majhi moved condolence resolutions expressing deep grief over the demise of former ministers Chandra Shekhar Majhi and Sushant Singh, former chief whip Satya Bhushan Sahu, and former members Ramamurti Gamango, Haji Mohammad Ayub Khan, and Shivaji Majhi. The Chief Minister also moved a resolution mourning the loss of lives in recent catastrophic floods across Nepal and parts of India.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Congress Legislature Party Leader Ramachandra Kadam, CPI leaders, and Speaker Surama Padhy joined in supporting the resolution, offering their heartfelt sympathies before the House observed a one-minute silence in memory of the departed souls.
Uproar During Question Hour
However, as soon as the formal proceedings transitioned to Question Hour, the atmosphere inside the House quickly deteriorated. Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress members created a massive ruckus, storming the well of the House carrying placards and shouting slogans.
The primary spark for the protest was the controversial Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) [MMDR] Amendment Act, with the Opposition demanding its immediate rollback over alleged financial losses to Odisha’s mining revenue. BJD members also raised strong objections regarding reported errors in state textbooks, demanding accountability.
Despite repeated appeals from Speaker Surama Padhy to maintain decorum and allow the smooth conduct of business, the persistent clamour made it impossible to proceed. Unable to calm the protesting MLAs, the Speaker adjourned the House proceedings till 1:10 PM.
The nine-day Monsoon Session, scheduled to run until October 3, is expected to see the introduction of six key bills, including a proposed amendment bill regarding the salary hike for legislators. However, with major issues like the MMDR Act dominating the political landscape, further confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition appears imminent.
