Bhubaneswar, March 18: In the Odisha Assembly on Wednesday, opposition lawmakers from the BJD and Congress staged a protest demanding the resignation of Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling. This call for resignation came in the wake of a tragic fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, which resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals.
During the question hour, opposition members approached Speaker Surama Padhi’s podium, brandishing posters and chanting slogans. They accused the government of administrative negligence and reiterated their demand for the health minister’s resignation due to the horrific incident at SCB Hospital.
Amid the uproar, the Speaker suspended the session multiple times. In the meantime, BJD and Congress legislators condemned the state government’s alleged failure to prevent the devastating fire, conducting a symbolic final journey for the victims. They marched within the assembly premises, insisting on the immediate resignation of the health minister.
The protest, which disrupted the question hour, saw members from both parties demanding ₹1 crore in compensation for each victim’s family, labeling the government’s proposed ₹25 lakh as inadequate.
BJD President and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik stated, “During our government, a fire broke out in a private hospital, and the health minister resigned on moral grounds. Yet, with so many deaths occurring in a government hospital, they are not forcing the health minister to resign. Steps must be taken to improve healthcare services and hospitals across the state.”
Meanwhile, senior Congress legislator Tara Prasad Bahinipati remarked, “We established these facilities to save lives, but today, the state of medical services in Odisha is such that hospitals have become death traps. The public’s outcry is resonating throughout the state, yet the government remains unresponsive. The ‘final rites’ we are performing today symbolize the anger of the people. The health minister must resign immediately.”
On the other hand, BJP legislator Manas Dutta described the fire at SCB Medical College as a deeply tragic event but condemned the politicization of this human disaster. He urged BJD and Congress members to maintain the dignity of the assembly. Other BJP legislators asserted that the resignation of the health minister would not resolve the issues stemming from this incident.
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My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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