Bhubaneswar, Feb 21: The Odisha Legislative Assembly was adjourned until 4 pm on Saturday after members of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Indian National Congress staged a strong protest over alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement. The ruckus erupted soon after the House assembled for the Question Hour, bringing proceedings to a standstill.

At around 10:30 am, MLAs from both parties rushed to the Well of the House, shouting slogans and disrupting business within minutes of commencement. Speaker Surama Padhy initially adjourned the session till 11:30 am. 

However, when the House reconvened, the protests resumed with legislators displaying placards and raising concerns about delays, irregularities and procedural lapses in procurement across the state. The Speaker then adjourned the Assembly again until 4 pm.

Outside the House, Congress MLA Rama Chandra Kadam alleged that nearly 75% of farmers were struggling to sell their paddy and receive payments. BJD leader Arun Kumar Sahoo claimed many farmers were rejected during registration despite the announced price of ₹3,100 per quintal, and demanded immediate government intervention.

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