The proceedings in the Odisha Assembly were disrupted on Tuesday as the Congress staged a protest regarding land allotted to the Vedanta group. Despite the Question Hour proceeding conducted smoothly on the second day of the Budget Session, disruptions arose during the Zero Hour when the Congress brought up the issue of land allocation to Vedanta.
Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra staged a sit-in protest in the middle of the House during the Zero-Hour discussion. He demanded a Vigilance probe into the land acquisition for the proposed Vedanta University at Puri and called for a ruling from the Speaker on the matter.
During the discussion, Mishra referenced various verdicts on the Vedanta issue, including those from the Lokpal, Orissa High Court and the Supreme Court, alleging that the Odisha Government had favoured Vedanta unfairly. He highlighted discrepancies between Vedanta's request for 3,000 acres of land and the government's proposal of 15,000 acres.
Mishra questioned the State Government's delay in implementing the Supreme Court's order and urged Speaker Pramila Mallik to issue a ruling directing the government to comply with the court's decision.
Despite the Speaker's reassurances to examine the matter and inform the House, Mishra remained adamant in his demands and continued his protest. Consequently, Mallik adjourned the House twice until 4 pm as Mishra persisted in his sit-in protest, disregarding requests to return to his seat and allow normal business to resume.