Bhubaneswar: Proceedings in the Odisha Assembly were repeatedly disrupted on Wednesday as Opposition members intensified protests over the March 16 fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack that claimed 12 lives and left several others critically injured.
Members of the BJD and Congress staged a dramatic protest by entering the House wearing black T-shirts bearing slogans such as “Weak Chief Minister” and “Strong Health Minister,” targeting Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over the handling of the incident.
As soon as the Question Hour began, Opposition legislators trooped into the Well of the House, waving placards and raising anti-government slogans. Amid the din, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House till 11:30 AM. Similar scenes were witnessed during the Zero Hour, forcing multiple adjournments before proceedings were finally deferred till 4 PM.
In an effort to break the impasse, the Speaker convened an all-party meeting even as agitating members continued demonstrations on the Assembly premises, marching around the building and raising slogans against the government.
The Opposition has been demanding a detailed statement from the Chief Minister, resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, and stringent action against the then Superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had earlier announced that the BJD would continue its agitation inside and outside the House until the Health Minister steps down.
BJD leader Goutam Buddha Das alleged that the government has ignored repeated demands for accountability. “The Chief Minister has failed to act even after 10 days of the tragedy. It appears the Health Minister is more powerful than the Chief Minister,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik challenged the Chief Minister to dismiss the Health Minister to prove his authority. Congress leader CS Raazen Ekka also held the minister responsible and demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased.
Senior BJD member Arun Kumar Sahoo defended the protest, stating that continued inaction by the government forced the Opposition to resort to symbolic demonstrations.
Meanwhile, treasury bench members countered the protests, with BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty accusing the Opposition of attempting to divert attention from other issues, including alleged financial irregularities linked to a foundation in New Delhi.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan criticised the repeated disruptions, stating that nearly seven working days had been lost due to the stalemate. “Each day of Assembly proceedings costs around Rs 68–70 lakh. So far, about Rs 12 crore has been wasted,” he said.
The impasse over the SCB hospital fire continues to stall legislative business, with no immediate resolution in sight.
