Odia language issue stalls Odisha assembly proceedings

Odisha Assembly was today adjourned till afternoon after opposition Congress and BJP members created a ruckus demanding a discussion on state government's alleged lack of interest in implementing Odia as the official language of the state.
The issue was raised by the Congress members as soon as the House assembled for the Question Hour. The opposition Congress members rushed to well of the House and protested against Speaker Niranajan Pujari for not allowing a motion moved by them.
While Congress members were gathered in well of the House, BJP MLAs stood near their seats supporting the demand for a debate over the issue. Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned the House till 3 pm.

Congress MLAs alleged that the state government does not have any interest to develop the Odia language.
"We wanted that Odia should be declared as the public language, not only official language, on the occasion of Madhu Babu Jayanti," Congress MLA N K Das said outside the House.
"Activites report of departments is not presented in Odia in the Assembly whereas other states across the country are using their language as official one," he said.

BJD member Dibya Shanakar Mishra claimed Congress is directionless and their main problem is they do not know what to present.
"They are unnecessarily creating ruckus pressing for on adjournment motion," Mishra said.

The issue relating to Odia language caused noisy scenes in the assembly yesterday also and the House was adjourned till afternoon.