Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed intense turmoil on the third day of its ongoing monsoon session as members of both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress mounted a united protest against the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act.
Demanding the immediate repeal of the central legislation, opposition lawmakers stormed the well of the House, shouting slogans and carrying placards to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s stance.
The disruptions began as soon as the Question Hour was called. BJD members argued that the new MMDR Amendment Act undermines the constitutional authority of the state to levy taxes on its mineral wealth, potentially causing a loss of revenue amounting to thousands of crores.
Congress legislators echoed these concerns, claiming that the legislation severely compromises Odisha’s financial interests and state rights over natural resources. Amid the rising uproar and persistent unwillingness of opposition members to return to their seats, Deputy Speaker Shri Bhabani Shankar Bhoi was forced to adjourn the House proceedings until 4 PM.
Congress Lawmakers went to Gandhi statue inside the campus of the Assembly to stage dharna and BJD Lawmakers rushed to OMC Office to demonstrate on the MMDR Issue.
This latest standoff marks the continuation of three consecutive days of severe pandemonium within the Assembly. Since the start of the monsoon session, legislative proceedings have been repeatedly paralyzed by persistent protests.
On the first day of the session, proceedings were disrupted shortly after obituary references were offered to former members. Opposition legislators trooped into the well of the House, highlighting dual concerns: the controversial MMDR Act amendments and significant errors discovered in newly distributed school textbooks. The initial protests led to multiple sudden adjournments as lawmakers refused to engage in scheduled debates.
The second day saw no respite, as opposition members escalated their agitation both inside the chamber and on the streets. While Congress demanded an immediate withdrawal of the mining law, BJD staged protests at Lower PMG demanding the resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister over textbook errors. Continuous shouting of anti-government slogans, banner displays, and floor demonstrations prevented any formal legislative work or policy discussion during business hours.
Across all three days, the state government maintained that it is open to discussing all state concerns on the assembly floor. However, with opposition parties insisting on a firm commitment to challenge the central mining law and resolve public grievances, ordinary parliamentary business remains severely stalled.