The Odisha Assembly faced ongoing protests from opposition members of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress for the third consecutive day, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling following the tragic fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on March 16.
Opposition MLAs, displaying placards and banners, chanted anti-government slogans near the Speaker’s podium at the start of Thursday’s house proceedings. The Speaker had to adjourn the House briefly due to the uproar, which continued during the Zero Hour as BJD and Congress members persisted in disrupting proceedings.
Speaker Padhy called for an all-party meeting to resolve the deadlock and ensure the Assembly’s smooth functioning, but the meeting failed to produce any positive results. BJD MLA Sarada Prasanna Jena stated that the opposition would persist in their protest until accountability is established for the hospital fire tragedy.
Jena emphasized the need for moral and administrative accountability in light of the incident, urging the Health Minister to resign and provide Rs 50 lakh in compensation to each affected family. He criticized the government’s response to the tragedy, stating that the Assembly has been non-functional for three days due to the opposition’s demands.
BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik criticized the government for its handling of the situation, highlighting the resignation of a former Health Minister in a similar incident under the previous BJD government. Mallik accused the current government of lacking ethical standards and moral responsibility in the aftermath of the recent hospital fire.
BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara opposed calls for the Health Minister’s resignation, advocating for constructive debates within the Assembly. He assured that the government is taking steps to address the issue, including disciplinary actions against officials involved in the incident and implementing measures to enhance the healthcare system.
Samantara attributed the current challenges to years of neglect by the previous government, emphasizing the need for a more constructive approach to addressing healthcare issues. He urged opposition members to voice their concerns within the Assembly rather than resorting to disruptive protests.
