Bhubaneswar: The opening day of the 16^th Odisha Assembly began on a stormy note today with Congress leaders creating a ruckus soon after commencement of the House. Later, Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro adjourned the House till tomorrow.

After Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, BJP legislative party leader Pradipta Naik and senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra delivered condolence speeches, Congress leaders stood up and questioned the Speaker as to why he addressed Pradipta Kumar Naik as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) without any formal announcement.

Congress leaders, including Sura Routray, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Mohammed Moquim and Ramesh Jena went to the House and staged protest.

Earlier in the day, Governor Ganeshi Lal addressed the House soon after its commencement. He called upon the members to join him in paying tribute to former members of the House, including Ministers Bed Prakash Agarwalla and Gangadhar Pradhan, CRPF Jawans Prasanna Sahoo and Manoj Behera, and Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Jawan Ajit Kumar Sahoo.

Highlighting various achievements of the BJD Government including schemes like KALIA and Mission Shakti, the Governor assured that his Government would continue its efforts to deliver a transparent and pro-people governance in days to come.

He assured that the Government will provide education loans to students at 0 per cent interest and efforts will be made to create 30 lakh employment opportunities in 6 focus sectors. Around 75 per cent of jobs will be reserved for qualified local youth in all upcoming industries in the state, he added.

Besides, composite modern urban hostels will be provided in 114 locations of the state to facilitate higher and job-oriented study facilities for all category students.

Besides, he informed that a MSME welfare board will be set up to work for the sustenance and growth of those engaged in MSME sector like priests, barbers and washermen. Besides, a suitable ‘interest subvention scheme’ will be introduced for extension of credit to eligible MSMEs at concessional rate.

“The Government proposes to bring out a new industrial policy in line with the perspective plan with emphasis on creation of job opportunities. Best-in-class industrial parks will be established for each of the focus sectors,” he added.

For tourism, the Government assured that Puri will be made a world heritage city whereas all places of tourism importance will be linked and way-side amenities be provided on major roads. Besides, district tourism councils will be formed in all the districts.