Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Friday, the third day of the ongoing Budget Session, as the Opposition BJP and Congress raised the issue of farmers’ suicide in the state.
Soon after the proceedings began at 10.30 am, the Opposition members rushed to the House’s well and demanded a statement from the government on the issue. Congress members trooped into the well of the House and urged Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha to allow a discussion on farmer deaths by suspending the Question Hour.
They alleged that another farmer died due to tremendous loan pressure at a mandi (paddy procurement point) in the Boudh district on Thursday night. The farmer has been identified as Dharani Meher, a resident of Jamaghati village under Boudh block.
In response, Arukha asked them to raise the issue on an Adjournment Motion and other forums for discussion.
BJP members also began shouting slogans demanding government intervention to improve the law and order situation in the state.
As proceedings during Zero Hour were totally disrupted, the Speaker adjourned the House till 11.30 am.
It is worth mentioning here that the uproar by the Opposition over the probe into Health Minister Naba Kisore Das’s murder resulted in a number of adjournments on Thursday and Friday too.
