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Fourth Day of Odisha Assembly Disruptions Over SCB Hospital Fire

Opposition demands the health minister’s resignation following early safety-lapse findings.

Overview

  • Proceedings were adjourned repeatedly on March 20 as BJD and Congress legislators pressed for Mukesh Mahaling to step down.
  • Twelve patients died after a March 16 blaze in the trauma ICU at SCB Medical College in Cuttack, where about 23 patients were present.
  • The government suspended four junior officials for dereliction of duty based on an administrative fact-finding report.
  • Preliminary findings point to a suspected short circuit and disabled fire-safety systems, with the probe examining whether ventilators were involved.
  • A single-member judicial commission led by retired judge Laxmidhar Biswal is investigating with a 60‑day deadline, as the state maintains Rs 25 lakh ex gratia while the opposition seeks higher compensation.