BJP and BJD Clash Over Mission Shakti Support Staff Protest
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Bhubaneswar, Dec 10 (NationPress) The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Biju Janata Dal engaged in a fierce verbal exchange on Tuesday concerning the protests initiated by the support staff of the Mission Shakti Department.
The Odisha Assembly experienced considerable disruption, leading Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the session until 11:30 a.m. Even after the House reconvened, members from both the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD continued their heated discussions regarding the matter.
Hundreds of community support staff affiliated with the Mission Shakti department have taken to the streets under the banner of the All Odisha GPLF Mission Shakti Workers Union, protesting over a 10-point list of demands that includes the nonpayment of salaries for the last nine months and the regularization of their employment. Reports suggest that the protests began following unsuccessful negotiations with the state government.
Prominent leaders from the opposition BJD supported the protesting women at lower PMG road on Tuesday, insisting on the immediate release of their wages and the resolution of their outstanding demands.
Addressing the media outside the Assembly, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik stated, “The BJP-led state government is conspiring to withhold the salaries of the Mission Shakti women. Over 70 lakh women serve as support staff under Mission Shakti. I vehemently condemn this. We have consistently supported the Mission Shakti initiative and will continue to advocate for it.”
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida remarked, “Discussions regarding this issue were conducted in the Legislative Assembly yesterday. I urge everyone not to mislead the women workers. I also call on the women support staff to refrain from protesting under someone else's influence.”
The ruling party attributed the current difficulties faced by Mission Shakti support staff to the previous BJD government, asserting that it failed to extend their service agreements, which lapsed in April of this year.
In the meantime, the women protesters have vowed to maintain an indefinite sit-in until their demands are met by the state government.
