Odisha Assembly Stalled Amid Opposition Ruckus Over Protest By Mission Shakti Women

Bhubaneswar: Proceedings in the Odisha Assembly were disrupted on Tuesday following uproarious scenes created by opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress MLAs over several issues.

Soon after the House assembled for the day, opposition members stalled the proceedings demanding justice for agitating women engaged as MBK (Master Book Keeper), Bank Mitras, LSP (logistic service provider), CRP (Community resource persons), Krushi Mitra and Prani Mitras.

Finding it difficult to conduct the business due to noisy scenes, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House till 11.30 am.

As soon as the Question Hour began, the BJD MLAs demanded that the issue be discussed in the House through an adjournment motion and the plight of the agitating women must be addressed immediately.

The BJD legislators rushed to the well of the House and stalled proceedings. They were soon joined by the Congress Members. Unable to restore order in the House, Speaker Padhy adjourned the Assembly till 11.30 am.

Later speaking to the media senior BJD MLA Pramila Mallik blamed the BJP government for paying a deaf ear to the demands of hundreds of women engaged as MBK, LSP, CRP< Krushi Mitras, Prani Mitras and Bank Mitras, who have been agitating at Lower PMG, here.

She alleged while hundreds of women are spending sleepless nights and braving chill winter cold and unseasonal rain, the government is not bothered to consider their plight. She also stated a BJD delegation will meet the agitating women employees soon.

However, BJP Member Saroj Padhy countered Mallik’s claims and stated the earlier the BJD government in Odisha had given false assurances to the women workers through a fake letter. But the present BJP regime is considering how to address the issue.