Bhubaneswar: Odisha assembly witnessed disruptions for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as opposition BJD and Congress members staged protests over alleged large-scale errors in school textbooks and the new MMDR Act.Soon after the House reassembled at 10.30 am for question hour, opposition members rushed to the well carrying placards and raising slogans. Congress legislators also wore jackets carrying messages demanding withdrawal of the MMDR Act.
Biju Janata Dal and congress MLAs protesting against Text book errors and MMDR ammendment act during 2nd day of monsoon session of Odisha assembly in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Biju Janata Dal and congress MLAs protesting against Text book errors and MMDR ammendment act during 2nd day of monsoon session of Odisha assembly in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Congress MLA Tara Bahini Pati climbed on table alomg with BJD and Congress MLAs on the floor of the house protesting against MMDR amendment act and text book errors ,during monsoon session , in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday
Biju Janata Dal and congress MLAs protesting against Text book errors and MMDR ammendment act during 2nd day of monsoon session of Odisha assembly in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Congress MLA Tara Bahini Pati climbed on table alomg with BJD and Congress MLAs on the floor of the house protesting against MMDR amendment act and text book errors ,during monsoon session , in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday
Amid the din, science and technology minister Krushna Chandra Patra and deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo managed to answer two questions. With the uproar continuing unabated, deputy speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi adjourned the proceedings till 4 pm.On the Opposition’s protest in the Assembly, BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty defended school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond, saying, “There was no question of his resignation as the govt had already taken action against those responsible for the textbook errors.” He also accused previous Congress govts of pushing Odisha into crisis.Another BJP legislator, Manoranjan Dyan Samantara, alleged that the opposition was raising a non-issue for political gains and disrupting the House proceedings due to a lack of substantive issues.Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam launched a sharp attack on govt over the mining-related controversy, questioning how the state would compensate for a purported loss of Rs 15,000 crore.Terming the MMDR Act a “black law,” Kadam demanded its withdrawal before any discussion could take place. “Withdraw this black law first and then come for talks. Congress will always be ready for discussions. We will not tolerate anything that undermines the rights and resources of Odisha’s 4.5 crore people. We will continue to fight to protect the state’s interests,” he said.Meanwhile, BJD Yuva Morcha staged a demonstration outside the Assembly, demanding the resignation of Gond over the textbook errors. BJD functionary Pradeep Majhi accused govt of jeopardising the future of nearly 22 lakh students by delaying the distribution of corrected textbooks. “The future of 22 lakh children is at stake. Students are suffering because they do not have access to proper study materials,” he said.
