Bhubaneswar: The Monsoon Session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly began on a stormy note as opposition lawmakers forced an early adjournment on the very first day.
Proceedings opened with solemn obituary references paid to the victims of recent floods in Nepal and departed former members of the Odisha Assembly. However, as regular business commenced, the chamber descended into severe pandemonium.
Opposition Biju Janata Dal lawmakers staged aggressive protests over controversial errors in newly distributed state school textbooks, demanding accountability.
Simultaneously, Opposition Congress members surged to voice strong opposition against the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, contending that recent legislative amendments compromise the state’s autonomy and mineral rights.
With members shouting slogans and disrupting the flow of the House, orderly deliberation became impossible. Finding no path to restore decorum, Speaker Shrimati Surama Padhy adjourned the House till 1:10 PM, and later when the Assembly resumed, Opposition Members created ruckus for which Speaker adjourned the House till 4 PM, marking a tense start to the brief nine-day session.