Eight Bills passed without debate

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 31

Despite efforts by the Speaker to create cordial atmosphere by convening an all-party meeting on the first and last day, there were hardly any serious debates during the seven-day monsoon session.

Acrimonious exchanges between Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal remained the main highlight of the session that ended today on a bitter note.

Frequent disruptions and trading of personal charges by both sides relegated the important issues to the background. Speaker BBL Butail, who adjourned the House sine die, too regretted that the session was marred by some unfortunate incidents. “It is the responsibility of each one of us to uphold the dignity and traditions of this August House,” he remarked.

What is most disheartening is that eight important Bills were passed by the Assembly without any debate as the Opposition was either busy disrupting the proceedings or walking out when the Bills were passed. The important resolution seeking temporary relief from the High Court for small and marginal farmers facing encroachment eviction was also adopted in the absence of BJP.

Similarly, there seemed to be little effort on the part of the government to ensure that the House ran smoothly and serious debates were held. The government seemed more than happy to pass the Bills in haste in the absence of the BJP and similar was the fate of public issues such as bad condition of roads, damage due to rains and drinking water schemes which were to be discussed under Rule 324.

The Assembly was witness to one of the worst lows in parliamentary democracy as the Congress and BJP engaged in a scuffle and indulged in liberal use of the most unparliamentary language by both sides. There was scant regard for upholding parliamentary traditions with even less attention being paid towards holding serious discussion on issues such as relief for small and marginal farmers.

In the seven sittings that were held, the BJP walked out on four occasions. Later, the session was washed out with the BJP gunning for Chief Parliamentary Secretary Neeraj Bharti for making derogatory posts about the BJP and its leaders. It was because of the remarks by Bharti that there was a scuffle between him and Randhir Sharma on August 28.

The important Bills passed during the session include the Private Medical Educational Institutions (Regulation and of Admissions and Fixation of Fee) Amendment Bill, 2015, Himachal Pradesh Fruit Nurseries Registration and Regulation Bill 2015, Passengers and Good Tax Amendment Bill and Himachal Pradesh Tax on Luxuries (In Hotels and Lodging Houses) Amendment Bill. All Bills were passed without any discussion as the BJP had walked out.