The monsoon session of Odisha Assembly that kicks off on Tuesday is likely to be affected by the absence of a large number of MLAs who have tested positive for coronavirus.

Apart from Covid-19 management, issues like hike in power tariff and the controversial farm bills recently passed by Parliament are likely to be discussed during the session.

More than 50 MLAs, more than one-third of the total strength of the House comprising 145 members, have been found Covid-19 positive. Around six ministers and even deputy Speaker Rajanikant Singh have been diagnosed with Covid-19 during the tests conducted ahead of the commencement of the session. The members who have tested positive will not be allowed to enter the Assembly premises. So far 2.12 lakh people in the state have been infected with Covid-19, while 813 have succumbed to the disease.

There will be no Question Hour in the Assembly because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Seating arrangements have been made in the House in tune with social distancing norms.

The distance between two MLAs will be at least 4 feet with a 2ft-high glass ceiling separating them.

While the ruling BJD has made it clear that it is ready to face any issues raised by the Congress and the BJP, the two Opposition parties have decided to corner the government on issues such as alleged poor pandemic management, hike in power tariff at the time of coronavirus crisis and the controversial farm laws brought by the Centre.

Senior Congress leader and former law minister Narasingha Mishra said, “The state government has completely failed in Covid-19 management. Complaints are pouring in from different parts of the state. We will also expose the government on the issue of neglecting the cause of farmers.”

On Monday, a delegation of Congress leaders met governor Ganeshi Lal and handed over a memorandum against the farm bills describing them as anti-farmer and pro-rich.

Leader of the Opposition and senior BJP legislator Pradipta Nayak said, “We will highlight Covid-19 mismanagement of the government, which has been admitted by even ruling party MLAs. Besides when the state is passing through a tough time, the decision to hike power tariff has left the common man fuming. We will protest against it on the floor of the House.”

Senior BJD lawmaker and former minister Pratap Keshari Deb said, “The ruling party will discuss all the issues raised by the Opposition. We will also inform the members in the Assembly about our opposition to the Centre’s new farm bills.”

Meanwhile, director-general of police Abhay visited the state Assembly on Monday to review the security measures taken by the Directorate of Intelligence and the commissionerate of police for the monsoon session. The session will conclude on October 7.