Bhubaneswar, March 19 (NationPress) The Odisha Assembly has been engulfed in significant protests for the third consecutive day, as opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress vehemently demand the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling. This unrest follows the devastating fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on March 16, which tragically claimed 13 lives.

As the proceedings began on Thursday, opposition MLAs brandished placards and shouted anti-government slogans near the Speaker's podium. Just moments into the Question Hour, the Speaker had to adjourn the House until 11:30 a.m. due to the overwhelming chaos. Members of BJD and Congress intensified their protests during Zero Hour, further obstructing the House's activities.

To address the turmoil, Speaker Padhy convened an all-party meeting aimed at resolving the situation and restoring order. Unfortunately, this meeting also failed to produce any constructive outcomes.

BJD MLA Sarada Prasanna Jena articulated that the opposition will persist in its protests until accountability for the SCB Medical College and Hospital fire is established. He criticized the government for its inadequate response to the incident, which resulted in numerous casualties and injuries.

Jena stressed the need for moral accountability, asserting that the Health Minister should resign and accept responsibility for the tragedy. He also called for a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for each affected family, claiming that the state government has dismissed this demand.

“In light of the severity of this incident, there must be accountability on both moral and administrative fronts. The Health Minister is expected to step down, and adequate compensation must be provided to the families of the victims,” Jena stated.

Meanwhile, BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik criticized the state government, recalling a similar fire incident at a private hospital during the previous BJD administration under former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, where the Health Minister resigned on moral grounds, and the hospital's owner faced arrest.

She expressed frustration that despite the tragic loss of life in the recent fire at the prominent government-run hospital, the Health Minister remains in position. Mallik accused the BJP-led government of lacking ethical standards and moral integrity.

In contrast, BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara dismissed the calls for the Health Minister's resignation, urging the opposition to participate in constructive dialogue within the Assembly. He reassured that the government is taking action, having already suspended four officials linked to the incident.

Samantaray also highlighted that the administration is implementing systematic measures to address existing gaps. He pointed fingers at the previous government, suggesting that the current issues stem from decades of neglect.

“If the healthcare system had been adequately fortified during the 25 years of the previous administration, we would not be facing such challenges today,” he remarked. He encouraged the opposition to present their concerns within the Assembly for a fruitful discussion.