Odisha Assembly disrupted as Congress demands removal of 50 pc reservation cap
Bhubaneswar, Dec 4 (UNI) The Odisha Assembly witnessed repeated disruptions on Thursday as the opposition Congress stalled proceedings during the Question Hour, demanding a resolution to remove the 50 per cent cap on reservation in higher education and government jobs for SC, ST, and OBC communities.
Congress legislators entered the well of the House, shouted slogans, and protested against the Speaker’s refusal to take up their proposed resolution.
Their continued agitation forced Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the Assembly four times during the Question Hour and Zero Hour.
The Congress had sought unanimous passage of a resolution on Wednesday, urging the union government to amend the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, allowing reservations in higher education and public employment in proportion to the population of SC, ST, and OBC communities.
When the House met on Thursday, Congress members again rushed to the well, ignoring repeated requests from the Speaker to return to their seats and allow Question Hour to proceed.
With the impasse continuing, the Speaker first adjourned the House at 10:40 AM until 11:30 AM, and later three additional times during the Zero Hour from 12:06 PM to 12:30 PM.
Congress Legislature Party leader Ramchandra Kadam argued that although SC and ST communities make up around 40 per cent of the state’s population, they receive only 20 per cent reservation in higher education—12 per cent for STs and 8 per cent for SCs—with no quota at all for OBCs, who constitute 11 per cent of the population.
He added that while Tamil Nadu provides 69 per cent reservation following a state assembly resolution, Odisha should adopt a similar approach and formally urge the Centre to lift the reservation cap.
Kadam also stated that the Congress would support the government if it moved such a resolution.
Normalcy returned to the House only after the Speaker announced that the issue would be taken up on December 12, the day reserved for private members’ business.
