Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA) witnessed ruckus by Opposition BJD and Congress for the fifth consecutive day today over the SC, ST and OBC reservation issue.
Despite repeated attempts by OLA Speaker Surama Padhy to maintain the decorum of the House, the House remained stalled, leading to complete washout of the pre-lunch session.
The Opposition stalled the House over reservation issue while Government Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan brought the censor motion against BJD MLAs Romancha Biswal and Madhab Dhada, who attempted to climb atop the Speaker’s podium with some other members assisting them after Opposition legislators rushed to the well of the House on 23 August, to draw attention to the recent hooch tragedy in Ganjam district.
The House was first adjourned for an hour and then till 4 PM as the Opposition members continued to disturb the proceedings amid slogans.
Speaking to media persons outside the House, Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam said, “In Odisha, 54% of the population belong to OBC while around 40% are from SC/ST communities. But reservations have not been made accordingly. They are not getting due reservation in technical and medical institutes.” He also demanded conduct of caste census and OBC Commission in the State.
Speaking to the media, senior BJD MLA Arun Sahoo said the SC and ST are getting 20 percent reservation in the ongoing admission to 2,200 MBBS seats while they deserve 38.75 percent.
“There is no reservation for OBC/SEBC in engineering, medical and general educational institutes. Though they deserve 27 percent, the government should at least implement 11.25 percent reservation for them in technical and professional courses as is the case with jobs,” the BJD leader stated.
On the censor motion against, BJD leaders said the Governing BJP MLAs including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister Mukesh Mahaling in 2023 threw dal on the then Woman Speaker and also suspended for it.