Congress MLAs walk out over Dadupur Nalvi canal issue

The Opposition Congress MLAs staged a walkout during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha today, protesting against the government's stance on the reconstruction of the scrapped Dadupur Nalvi canal project.

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Opposition vs Treasury

Congress stand: The government is not prepared and is misleading the House

Govt's reply: No order exists for reconstruction; SLP being filed to challenge the HC ruling

Govt should have come better prepared

The government is supposed to know what the court has decided. They should have come better prepared.

— Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former CM

During the question hour, Congress MLA Nirmal Singh inquired whether the Punjab and Haryana High Court had passed a judgment on the canal's reconstruction and what action the government planned to take.

In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahipal Dhanda said, "We have no information about such a decision. If there is one, let them (the Congress MLAs) provide it to us. This issue is raised in every session and the Opposition is only doing politics on the matter."

Led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress MLAs expressed their displeasure at the response. Hooda questioned the government's preparedness and demanded clarity on whether they would reconstruct the canal. "The government is supposed to know what the court has decided. They should have come better prepared," he said.

Nirmal Singh emphasised that the canal was crucial for groundwater recharge, particularly in dark zone areas where ponds had dried up.

With the Congress MLAs pressing for an answer, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini intervened and said the matter was “sensitive” and maintained that the court had given no such order.

When Hooda insisted on a clear response, Speaker Harvinder Kalayan advised Congress MLAs to submit a formal notice for discussion. "You cannot ask for a yes or a no," he said.

Unhappy with the exchange, the Congress MLAs walked out of the House in protest.

Later, during the zero hour, Congress MLA BB Batra presented case details, including the case number and date of decision. However, the CM reiterated that the court had not ordered the canal’s reconstruction, clarifying that it had only struck down one clause.

"The Advocate General of Haryana has opined that the decision of the high court would be challenged by filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court of India. The preparation of the SLP is underway and once reviewed by the Advocate General, it is expected to be filed soon," Saini said.

When Congress MLAs questioned why the government was filing an SLP if they were unaware of the court order, the Treasury Benches defended their stance, maintaining that reconstruction of the canal was not under consideration.

Zero hour highlights

Vij promises action over inflated power bills

Congress MLA Jassi Petwar raised concerns over inflated electricity bills, citing a case where a family’s bill jumped from Rs 500 to over Rs 9 lakh without any change in consumption. Despite the local panchayat’s support, the bill remained uncorrected. Power Minister Anil Vij assured an inquiry, stating in his signature style: “Adhikariyon ko bhi theek karengay. Theek karna mujhay aata hai.”

Aditya Devilal slams govt on law & order, farm issues

INLD MLA Aditya Devilal criticised the government over rising crimes against women and Scheduled Castes. He also highlighted farmer struggles, pointing out water scarcity and the failure of schemes like Mera Pani Meri Virasat. He demanded urgent action on irrigation projects, including the revival of the Dadupur-Nalvi canal.

Arjun Chautala demands white paper on hiring

INLD MLA Arjun Chautala exposed a fake Swaminathan Award allegedly promoted by a state university Vice-Chancellor. He clarified that the real award had only been given to 13 individuals. He also raised concerns about the MBBS paper leak at Maharishi Dayanand University, calling for strict action and urging the CM to release a white paper on university appointments.

Aftab Ahmed warns of falling education standards

Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed flagged the deteriorating quality of education in Haryana’s schools and colleges. He emphasised the dire need for teachers, particularly in Mewat, and urged the government to fill vacancies without compromising on academic standards.