Finance
The Odisha Assembly’s proceedings were repeatedly delayed on Wednesday as opposition members intensified their demonstrations over the March 16 fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, which killed 12 people and badly injured several others.
Members of the BJD and Congress staged a theatrical protest by entering the House wearing black T-shirts with slogans like “Weak Chief Minister” and “Strong Health Minister,” criticizing Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s handling of the situation.
As soon as Question Hour began, opposition members marched into the House Well, holding placards and chanting anti-government slogans. Amid the din, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House till 11:30 a.m. Similar scenes were witnessed during the Zero Hour, forcing multiple adjournments before proceedings were finally deferred till 4 PM.
In an effort to break the impasse, the Speaker called an all-party meeting while agitating members continued to demonstrate on Assembly grounds, walking around the building and raising anti-government slogans.
The Opposition has demanded a thorough response from the Chief Minister, the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, and strict action against the then-Superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik had previously stated that the BJD will continue its protest both within and outside the House until the Health Minister stepped down.
BJD leader Goutam Buddha Das alleged that the government has ignored repeated demands for accountability. “The Chief Minister has failed to act even after 10 days of the tragedy. It appears the Health Minister is more powerful than the Chief Minister,” he said.
Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, echoing similar comments, challenged the Chief Minister to fire the Health Minister to demonstrate his power. Congress leader CS Raazen Ekka also held the minister accountable, demanding an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore for the relatives of the deceased.
Senior BJD member Arun Kumar Sahoo justified the protest, claiming that the government’s prolonged inaction compelled the opposition to resort to symbolic demonstrations.
Meanwhile, treasury bench members responded to the protests, with BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty accusing the opposition of attempting to deflect attention away from other concerns, including as alleged financial irregularities involving a foundation in New Delhi.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan criticised the repeated disruptions, stating that nearly seven working days had been lost due to the stalemate. “Each day of Assembly proceedings costs around Rs 68–70 lakh. So far, about Rs 12 crore has been wasted,” he said.
The impasse over the SCB hospital fire continues to stall legislative business, with no immediate resolution in sight.
