Uproar over local bodies expansion, Gairsain

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7

The first day of the winter session was marred by disruption over Congress MLAs demand for discussion under Rule 310 on numerous issues, including expansion of local bodies, capital status for Gairsain and deteriorating law and order situation in the state. As soon as the proceedings of the House began, Congress MLAs demanded Speaker Prem Chand Aggarwal to allow discussion on the issue.

However, the Speaker rejected the demand stating it would be held after Question Hour following which the Congress MLAs disrupted the House for a few hours.

Later, Independent MLA Preetam Panwar demanded that he should be allowed to raise the issue of making Gairsain the permanent capital of Uttarakhand under Rule 310. He was later allowed to speak under Rule 58 (Conduct of House rule book).

During Question Hour, several issues pertaining to the Department of Education came up for discussion.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Madan Kaushik criticised the Opposition for failing to do their homework. “They came to attend the proceedings without doing their home work. All questions and notices have come up from the treasury benches,” he said.

However, Leader of the Opposition Indira Hridayesh slammed the treasury benches for undermining the Opposition. “We are not allowed to speak in the House. The government has started expanding the boundaries of urban local bodies without paying much attention to its consequences. The pradhans and BTC members are on strike as they are opposing the inclusion of villages,” she said. She also criticised the BJP government for failing to make arrangements at Gairsain Vidhan Sabha Bhavan. “Whatever work has been done was carried out under the previous Congress rulet,” she said.