Assembly in session: Names of only sitting MLAs allowed on foundation stones

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 16

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that names of only elected MLAs or a former MLA holding some official position will be allowed to be carried on foundation or inauguration stones of government projects.

He was replying to a query by Puran Chand Thakur in the Vidhan Sabha today during question hour on the issue of names of defeated Congress candidates being carried on foundation and inauguration stones during the recent visit of Mandi MP Pratibha Singh. Sukhu said that any place where foundation or inauguration stones had been removed in the past would be restored.

No stone removed from Oakover

• The Chief Minister said no foundation stones had been removed at Oakover. “This is not in my knowledge but if it is true then I will find it out and put it back,” he said
• He added that any appointee, who gets salary and honorarium from the government, will be entitled to inaugurate or lay foundation stones apart from MLAs
• Replying to a query on shortage of electricity meters, poles, service wires and staff shortage in HPSEB, the CM said electricity meters will be provided in every division within a week

"No doubt Thakur Kaul Singh is a very respected and senior leader of the Congress but we have to put an end to this trend and lay down clear norms," said Sukhu. He assured that action would be taken against officials who carry names of former MLAs on any of the foundation or inauguration stones from now onwards.

Citing an incident, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said teachers of the school where he studied in his Assembly segment of Seraj were transferred when he was invited to the school function which reflects political vendetta. “When you are not respecting this sentiment yourself and removing inauguration plates from the lift and visitors room at your official residence which was inaugurated by me then how do you expect officials to follow these rules,” quipped Thakur.

Replying to the remarks, the CM said no foundation stones had been removed at Oak Over. “This is not in my knowledge but if it is true then I will find it out and put it back,” he said. He added that any appointee, who gets salary and honorarium from the government, will be entitled to inaugurate or lay foundation stones apart from MLAs.

Replying to a query by MLAs Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Vinod Kumar (Nachan) and Janak Raj (Bharmour) on shortage of electricity meters, poles, service wires and staff shortage in HP State Electricity Board, the Chief Minister said within a week electricity meters will be provided in every division and staff shortage will also be addressed. He said 90,395 applications for installing smart meters had been received out of which 42,177 were pending.

Sukhu stated that Rs 3,500 crore tenders for smart meters had been floated and the procedure was complete. "A total of 17.50 lakh meters are getting zero bill, out of total 29 lakh meters in Himachal even though there are a total of 20 lakh families in the state.

Replying to a query by Sukh Ram Chaudhary (Paonta Sahib), Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said a total of 10,023 houses had been approved for those whose houses had been damaged out of the Rs 4500 crore special relief package given by the state.

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