Bhubaneswar: The second day of the Odisha Assembly’s monsoon session on Friday descended into chaos, lasting only four minutes before being adjourned until 4 pm.
Amid sloganeering, BJD legislators rushed to the well of the House holding placards and banners and approached Speaker Surama Padhy’s podium, expressing concern over mismanagement in distribution of fertilizers in the state.
The Congress MLAs also sought a discussion on the fertilizer crisis through an adjournment motion during Question Hour, but BJD’s uproar halted the proceedings. The disruptions also prevented the session from addressing planned government businesses.
Unable to restore order, the Speaker adjourned the house till 4 pm.
“The farmers are protesting across the state over fertilizer shortage. They are not getting the required fertilizer, which is affecting their crop. Since 60% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities, we requested the Speaker for detailed discussion on their issue. Our demand must be accepted by the Speaker and the government,” said Opposition Whip Pramila Mallik.
BJP MLA Irasis Acharya said important questions relating to the state’s interest could not be discussed as BJD disrupted the House. He ridiculed BJD’s protest saying that an adjournment motion on fertilizer issue, which was accepted, also could not be taken up.
