Bhubaneswar, March 30 – The chaos caused by the opposition parties, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress, over the fire tragedy at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, which claimed the lives of 12 patients, continued to disrupt proceedings in the Odisha Assembly on Monday.
The proceedings began on Monday with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida moving a motion of condolence to pay tribute to the late Narayan Sahu, a former MLA from Pallahara and a former Member of Parliament from the Deogarh constituency, who passed away on March 27.
The motion was seconded by Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Congress Legislative Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, and others, who expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
The House later observed a one-minute silence in memory of Sahu.
As soon as the Question Hour commenced, opposition members holding placards and banners gathered near Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy's podium and began protesting, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling and action against senior officials of SCB Medical College and Hospital for their alleged negligence in the deadly fire.
Amid the commotion, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House multiple times on Monday as well.
The all-party meeting called by the Speaker also failed to yield any results, as the opposition continued to disrupt proceedings inside the House.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties, which had been protesting inside the Assembly since March 17, demanding the health minister's resignation, intensified their demonstration on Monday by taking it to the streets and holding a massive protest at PMG Square in Bhubaneswar.
Leaders and workers of 10 opposition parties, including BJD, Congress, CPM, and others, participated in the demonstration.
Speaking to the media, senior BJD Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra supported the joint protest, alleging serious lapses in the functioning of SCB Medical College and Hospital. He said that several democratic opposition parties had come together to raise concerns over patient safety and the alleged negligence that led to the loss of lives.
Mishra questioned the role of senior hospital officials, alleging that those responsible for monitoring medical services were not performing their duties effectively. He further claimed that despite the gravity of the issue, the government was shielding key officials instead of holding them accountable.
The senior BJD leader emphasised that the protest reflects the collective voice of the opposition, demanding transparency, accountability, and immediate corrective measures in the healthcare system.