Bhubaneswar, Mar 17 (UNI) The Odisha Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes as Opposition Congress and BJD members stalled the Question Hour on Monday, protesting the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

When the House assembled at 10:30 AM to take up the Question Hour, Congress and BJD members, holding placards, trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans against the government, alleging that law and order had completely collapsed in the state.

Speaker Surama Padhy, however, proceeded with the Question Hour and asked Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling to respond to a question raised by BJP member Upasana Mohapatra.

As the Health minister stood up to reply to the question, the agitated Opposition members rushed to the podium and intensified their slogan shouting.

While the Congress members raised concerns over the rising cases of atrocities against women in the state, the BJD members pointed out the deplorable law and order situation and alleged that the government had completely failed to control law and order.

The Speaker requested the Opposition return to their seats and participate in the Question Hour, which she stated was the most important business of the House.

The Opposition, however, ignored the Speaker’s request and continued their slogan shouting, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House at 10:35 AM until 12:15 PM.

The budget session of the House, which commenced on February 13, has been witnessing frequent disruptions over various issues raised by the Opposition, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the Question Hour and other business during both the pre-lunch and post-lunch sessions on most days.

UNI DP ARN