The Winter session of Odisha Assembly began on a stormy note today with opposition Congress creating uproarious scenes leading to adjournment of the House till 3 PM.
As soon as the Question Hour began after obituary references, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra sought immediate discussion on issues like death of children due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Malkangiri district.
The senior Congress leader requested Speaker Niranjan Pujari to cancel the Question Hour for holding a discussion on the issue as over 100 children have died due to JE and unknown diseases in the tribal-dominated district.
The Speaker, however, rejected Congress' demand and the House proceeded with the Question Hour following which the party's legislators to troop into the Well of the House and create an uproar.
Some members including Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati were even seen trying to climb the Speaker's table and snatch the microphone.
Unable to conduct business amid noisy scenes, Pujari adjourned the House till 3 PM.
Mishra later told reporters outside the House that considering the urgency, the issue should have been discussed after cancelling the Question Hour as more than 100 children have perished due to the disease and the government failed to control the situation.
Criticising the disruption of the Assembly, BJD spokesperson Samir Dash, also speaking outside the Assembly, said the issue could have been discussed after the Question Hour.
The government is ready to hold discussion on any issue raised by the opposition, he said.
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