Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Thursday witnessed repeated disruptions and was adjourned till 4 pm as opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress created a ruckus over recent hike in LPG cylinder prices and alleged shortage of cooking gas in the state.
The disruptions began right at the start of Question Hour, when Congress members, holding placards, trooped into the well of the House and chanted anti-government slogans near the Speaker’s podium, demanding rollback of the recent hike in the price of LPG cylinders. BJD MLAs also staged noisy protests over the issue while standing at their seats. Following which, the House was first adjourned until 11.30 am.
However, opposition members continued their protest over the LPG issue, prompting the Speaker to adjourn proceedings again till 12:10 pm and subsequently until 4 pm as the din persisted.
The BJD and Congress MLAs criticised the BJP-led government for its failure to effectively regulate LPG supply and curb widespread black marketing of domestic cooking gas cylinders. BJD whip Pramila Mallik claimed that a 14 kg LPG cylinder was being sold for over Rs 1,500 in the market.
There have been reports of panic buying, long queues at agencies, and black market rates reaching Rs 1,400–Rs 1,500 for domestic cylinders, even as subsidised prices hover around Rs 900–Rs 940 in major cities.
Later speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, senior Congress leader Ashok Das highlighted the severe burden on common people and poor families, noting that escalating LPG costs were making everyday household expenses unsustainable. He described cooking gas as an essential commodity and called on the government to reinstate adequate subsidies, regulate prices, and take urgent measures to ease the financial strain on ordinary citizens.
Das further alleged that the “double engine government” has failed to address the problems of the people.
BJD leader Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that LPG is a basic necessity not only for households but also for restaurants and small enterprises. He alleged administrative lapses leading to supply irregularities and price surges, which were causing hardship and potential disruptions to daily operations.
Singh Deo urged immediate government intervention to stabilise supplies, prevent black marketing, and ensure affordability and uninterrupted access to fuel.
BJP legislator Irasis Acharya, however, alleged that instructions to disrupt the Assembly had come from Delhi. “The matter could have been discussed in the House during Question Hour and Zero Hour,” he said questioning the motives of Congress legislators while accusing the BJD of backing them.
He added that the government has taken several steps to ensure cooking gas connections reach economically weaker sections and to strengthen supply mechanisms.
Another BJP MLA, Ashok Mohanty, also attacked the Opposition, claiming that there was no shortage of LPG in Odisha.
