The Odisha Legislative Assembly was adjourned until 11:30 AM on Wednesday due to significant protests from opposition members over a tragic fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, which resulted in 12 deaths.
As the Assembly began its session this morning, MLAs from the BJD and Congress disrupted proceedings right from the start. They rushed to the well of the House during Question Hour, chanting slogans and demanding the immediate resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on moral grounds, citing severe negligence in hospital safety standards.
Speaker Surama Padhy attempted to restore order but ultimately had to adjourn the House due to the persistent uproar, first briefly and then until 11:30 AM.
In a dramatic display, opposition MLAs conducted a symbolic “bier” procession within the Assembly premises, carrying placards and chanting ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai’ to draw attention to the tragic deaths and hold the government accountable. The demonstration resonated throughout the complex, eliciting strong reactions from the ruling benches.
The incident occurred in the early hours of March 16, when a fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, engulfed the trauma care ICU around 2:30-3 AM. At least 23 patients were evacuated, but seven died instantly from asphyxiation or burns, with others succumbing later during treatment. Eleven hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while bravely rescuing patients, and all are reported to be out of danger.
The Odisha government announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the victims’ families and established a judicial commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy amid allegations that critical alarm devices at SCB were turned off and hospital staff ignored sparks in the AC duct shortly before the fire erupted, turning three floors of the facility into an inferno.
On Tuesday, all hospitals in the state were instructed to ensure that fire safety alert systems remain operational at all times. Chief Secretary Anu Garg also led a high-level meeting to review fire safety protocols in government hospitals and other facilities.
