Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Legislative Assembly faced complete deadlock for the fourth day in a row as opposition lawmakers created continuous disruptions. The entire first half of the day's session was lost without any productive work. The state government expressed its readiness to discuss all issues but accused the opposition of failing to cooperate, leading to a cycle of allegations and counter-allegations. The House managed to function for a mere seven minutes before adjourning. 
The primary reason for the protest stems from allegations made by the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The party claims the state government is undermining the powers of Block Chairpersons within the Panchayati Raj system, a form of local self-governance. To voice their protest, BJD legislators entered the well of the House, shouting slogans and displaying placards. They argued that a recent government order increasing the financial powers of Block Development Officers (BDOs) to two lakh rupees is unconstitutional and represents a direct attempt to reduce the authority of elected Panchayat Samiti chairpersons.
Simultaneously, Congress party members stood at their seats to register their own protest. They held placards blaming the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the BJD for the ongoing paralysis of the Assembly. Congress legislators alleged a collusion between the two parties, referring to them as "brothers." They further accused the government of ignoring their adjournment motion and stifling the voice of the opposition.
Amid the loud sloganeering and chaotic scenes, the Speaker of the House, Surma Padhi, made repeated appeals for order. She emphasized that running the House is a collective responsibility and urged members to return to their seats. She highlighted the importance of the Question Hour, calling it a valuable time for accountability that should not be wasted through frequent adjournments.
However, her requests went unheeded as the opposition members continued their protest in the well of the House. Observing the continued unruly situation, the Speaker was compelled to adjourn the proceedings until the afternoon.
This incident marks the fourth consecutive day where normal business in the Odisha Assembly has been impossible. The crucial Question Hour, where ministers answer queries from legislators, has failed to occur each day. Reports indicate that over these four days, the total functional time of the Assembly has been just 31 minutes, highlighting a severe breakdown in legislative proceedings and raising concerns about democratic discourse in the state.
The primary reason for the protest stems from allegations made by the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The party claims the state government is undermining the powers of Block Chairpersons within the Panchayati Raj system, a form of local self-governance. To voice their protest, BJD legislators entered the well of the House, shouting slogans and displaying placards. They argued that a recent government order increasing the financial powers of Block Development Officers (BDOs) to two lakh rupees is unconstitutional and represents a direct attempt to reduce the authority of elected Panchayat Samiti chairpersons.
Simultaneously, Congress party members stood at their seats to register their own protest. They held placards blaming the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the BJD for the ongoing paralysis of the Assembly. Congress legislators alleged a collusion between the two parties, referring to them as "brothers." They further accused the government of ignoring their adjournment motion and stifling the voice of the opposition.
Amid the loud sloganeering and chaotic scenes, the Speaker of the House, Surma Padhi, made repeated appeals for order. She emphasized that running the House is a collective responsibility and urged members to return to their seats. She highlighted the importance of the Question Hour, calling it a valuable time for accountability that should not be wasted through frequent adjournments.
However, her requests went unheeded as the opposition members continued their protest in the well of the House. Observing the continued unruly situation, the Speaker was compelled to adjourn the proceedings until the afternoon.
This incident marks the fourth consecutive day where normal business in the Odisha Assembly has been impossible. The crucial Question Hour, where ministers answer queries from legislators, has failed to occur each day. Reports indicate that over these four days, the total functional time of the Assembly has been just 31 minutes, highlighting a severe breakdown in legislative proceedings and raising concerns about democratic discourse in the state.
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