The decision to withdraw the decision came in the wake of journalists boycotting the House proceedings.
Proceedings of the Odisha assembly were disrupted for the third day in a row on Wednesday as ruckus continued over the Opposition’s demand for action against Governor Raghubar Das's son for allegedly assaulting a government official earlier this month.
Septuagenarian Patnaik, who ruled the State uninterruptedly since 2000 before losing out to a resurgent BJP in 2024, never sat in the Opposition benches.
The demands of the SJAO included among other things provision of pensions for retired journalists.
During Question Hour, the BJP members of the Assembly staged a protest with placards inside the house. As the uproar continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 4 pm. Accusing the Congress of demeaning the President, the BJP demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi from Rahul Gandhi.
The Opposition BJP and the Congress continued their protest against the irregularities in mandis, non procurement of paddy by the government and debate on the issue suspending all other business.
Talking to media persons, Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati alleged that the BJP and BJD are enacting a drama as both are responsible for the plight of the farmers.
The BJD members alleged that Panigrahi has ruined the sanctity of the House by attempting suicide during its proceedings and maintained that they will not let the House run till the BJP MLA apologises.
The other proposal is to give Odias and devotees an opportunity to contribute to the heritage project.
Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra asked Speaker Surya Narayan Patro to direct Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to ensure a fair probe into the incident.
