Himachal Speaker allows RDG crisis debate amid Opposition objection

Ignoring objections raised by the BJP, Speaker Kuldeep Pathania on Monday permitted a discussion under Rule 102 on a resolution moved by the state government over the financial crisis triggered by the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). Calling the issue “important and urgent”, he ruled that the matter could be taken up immediately after the Governor’s Address and obituary references on the opening day of the Budget session.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur questioned the government’s move, saying there was uncertainty over whether the ongoing sitting was a full-fledged Budget session and how long it would continue. He urged the Chair to defer the Rule 102 resolution and instead begin discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address from the following day, in keeping with established conventions.

Responding to the objection, Pathania said legislative business had been conducted after the Governor’s Address in previous sessions as well, including in 2019-20 when Thakur was Chief Minister.

The Speaker added that members had not yet had sufficient time to study the Governor’s Address and therefore the Motion of Thanks debate would commence from Tuesday. He assured the House that two full days had been earmarked and proceedings could be extended late into the night if required.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan defended the scheduling, noting that even Parliament holds its Budget session in phases. He said MLAs had sought shorter sittings and stressed that the RDG issue was critical for the state’s future.