Posted on September 25, 2026
There have been continuous disruptions in the ongoing Monsoon session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly owing to the objections raised by the opposition parties in regard to MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 and some other important issues such as errors in school textbooks and many others. Since the session of the assembly started from September 22, there have been disruptions like slogan shouting and protests, resulting in less time for legislative works.
MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 is one of the most important points of discussion in the assembly. BJD and Congress have asked that the amendment be withdrawn or that the stance of the state government on whether there would be any financial impact due to this amendment on Odisha must be made clear.
The state government claimed that it had not made any quantifiable evaluation of the financial repercussions of the amendment. Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the Steel and Mines minister in the Assembly, mentioned that the government had not arrived at any numbers for the possible unrecoverable mineral tax arrears and the annual financial effect specific to the amended clauses. The government has also claimed that the implications of the law would be studied based on the operational clauses and relevant rules.
Another important matter that is causing tensions both inside and outside the Assembly is the problem of errors in school textbooks. Legislators of the BJD demanded that steps should be taken against School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond. This has also caused protests by the opposition party leaders outside the Assembly.
The disturbance has been going on for some days now. BJD and Congress members have entered into the well of the House during Zero Hour on September 25, carrying placards and shouting slogans. The Deputy Speaker, Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, has requested the members to cooperate, but disturbances were not stopped. The House was later adjourned till Friday owing to rowdy scenes in the afternoon session. The Congress members also carried out a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Assembly complex.
The Monsoon Session is due to go on till October 3, and thus it is a very crucial period in which discussions on issues of laws and those pertaining to the state can take place. Before the Monsoon Session began, the Speaker had requested all parties to cooperate and have a constructive discussion on public interest issues.
It can thus be seen that the current Odisha Assembly storm is a result of legislative differences and protest from the opposition parties over the government’s policy regarding mining and education issues. Whether the remaining days of the session will give scope for detailed discussion or not depends on how the government and the opposition parties handle these sensitive issues.