Proceedings in the Odisha Assembly were disrupted for the third straight day on Friday as opposition BJD and Congress members staged protests over alleged mismanagement in the state’s paddy procurement process.
The unrest began immediately at 10:30 am during the Question Hour, with BJD and Congress legislators storming the well of the House. Holding banners and placards, the members shouted slogans against the BJP-led government, forcing Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the House repeatedly—first until 11:30 am, then to 12:00 pm, and eventually until 4:00 pm.
The opposition BJD took a hardline stance, specifically demanding the resignation of Krushna Chandra Patra, the Minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare. The party accused the ministry of failing to uphold its commitments to the farming community.
Speaking to the press outside the assembly, senior BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb said the BJP government, after assuming office, promised to provide an input subsidy of Rs 800 per quintal on top of the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
He noted that under the previous administration, record amounts of paddy were procured with timely subsidies provided to farmers.
“This year, the food supply minister had announced that they will provide Rs 800 input subsidy to each farmer for a maximum of 150 quintal of paddy,” Deb said.
The BJD leader sought clarification over the matter from the ruling BJP.
