The State Assembly on Friday witnessed uproar as the Opposition BJP and Congress demanded to allow the mediapersons to the Press Gallery to cover the proceedings of the House.
The Question Hour was completely washed out as the opposition members trooped into the Well of the House and shouted slogans.
At present, the journalists are seated in a new conference room outside the main Assembly hall to cover the proceedings through videoconferencing mode.
As the chaotic situation prevailed, Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha adjourned the House till 11:30 am and convened an all-party meeting to resolve the matter. However, the situation remained almost the same when the House reassembled for the Zero Hour.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati demanded to allow mediapersons to the Press Gallery.
BJP Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi said as the mediapersons are not allowed into the Press Gallery, they are not able to report the House proceedings correctly.
When the Rath Yatra was conducted with participation of lakhs of people and the Parliament has started functioning normally, why the journalists would not be allowed into the Press Gallery, he asked.
In his reaction, the Speaker said the decision to restrict the entry of media people to the Press Gallery and to rearrange the seats of MLAs was taken at an all-party meeting keeping the safety of the members in view of the Covid pandemic.
Informing that only a few days are left for the current session of the Assembly to end, he appealed to the members to cooperate in smooth conduct of the House. He said a decision on lifting the restriction on media would be taken in the coming session of the Assembly considering the situation prevailing at that time.