Odisha Assembly adjourned twice amid opposition protests over hooch tragedy

Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: The Odisha Assembly was adjourned until 4 pm for the second consecutive day on Wednesday due to disruptions caused by the Opposition over the hooch tragedy in Ganjam district.

The session was interrupted as members from both the BJD and Congress staged protests, demanding a RDC-level investigation into the incident that resulted in one death and left 14 others hospitalized after allegedly consuming illicit country liquor.

Congress legislators also called for safeguarding the rights of marginalized communities. Speaker Surama Padhy initially suspended the proceedings until 11.30 am and later extended the adjournment to 4 pm amid ongoing heated debates.

The Assembly’s second phase of the Budget session, which resumed after a 19-day break, started with turmoil on Tuesday. Opposition Congress members clashed over student union elections in the state, while BJD members highlighted several issues, including demands for the arrest of Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik for leading a walkout during the Governor’s address on July 22, a report on the assault of a Raj Bhavan staff member by the Governor’s son, and the announcement of 10 percent reservation for Agniveers in uniformed services by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

This session, running until September 13, is focused on discussing budgetary allocations for various departments. The Assembly will review the Rs 2.65 lakh crore budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, presented by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, who also serves as the finance minister, on July 25, 2024.

On Wednesday, the agenda included discussions on Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment, Food Supply and Rural Welfare, Energy, Cooperatives, Fisheries and Livestock, Textile Industry, Handicrafts, MSME, and Science and Technology departments.