Chaos in Odisha Assembly, Proceedings Adjourned Till 4 PM

The Odisha Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Tuesday as opposition BJD MLAs staged protests against the BJP government’s recent decision to enhance the financial powers of block development officers (BDOs) and engineers.

The commotion began as soon as the House assembled for Question Hour at 10:30 am. Carrying placards, BJD legislators stormed into the well of the House, raising slogans against the government. They alleged that the move undermines the authority of elected representatives in the three-tier panchayati raj system.

Speaker Surama Padhy repeatedly urged the agitating members to return to their seats and allow the proceedings to continue. However, with the protests showing no signs of abating, she adjourned the House till 4 pm.

The BJD members demanded an immediate rollback of the cabinet decision, claiming it was an attempt to centralize power in the bureaucracy at the expense of grassroots democratic institutions.

The BJP government, on its part, has defended the decision as a step to improve efficiency and accelerate developmental works at the block level.

The issue is expected to dominate the Assembly’s proceedings when the House reassembles later in the day.