MLAs seek Bharat Ratna for ‘Himachal Nirmata’ YS Parmar

The Vidhan Sabha today unanimously urged the Central Government to honour first Chief Minister Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, who is known as “Himachal Nirmata”, with Bharat Ratna in recognition of his contribution to the state.

Nahan legislator Ajay Solanki moved a resolution under Rule 101 in this regard in the Vidhan Sabha. “Dr Parmar was a visionary, who was instrumental in the formation of Himachal. He laid the foundation of the development of Himachal as a model hill state,” said Solanki while seeking the highest civilian award for Parmar.

Solanki said that the people of Parmar’s native village had set up a Trust to undertake various activities for the benefit of the area and the state government should open an institution in his memory to supplement these efforts. “Both ruling and Opposition MLAs in one voice have supported the resolution, which will be sent to the Central Government to remember and honour Parmar’s contribution to the formation of Himachal,” said Speaker Kuldeep Pathania.

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur supported the resolution and said that it was due to Parmar’s relentless efforts that Himachal got its own identity based on distinct Pahari language and culture after a long struggle. He, however, questioned the issue being raised in the House, contrary to the procedure where the state government recommends it to the Central Government. There should be no dilution of our recognition of his contribution, he added.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Paonta Sahib MLA Sukh Ram Chaudhary and Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayyar supported the resolution.

MLAs warned against criticising Speaker

• Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Pathania was on Thursday peeved over legislators making remarks on his conduct and said that he would not tolerate aspersions being cast on the Chair in running the House
• Right at the start of the fourth day proceedings of the Vidhan Sabha, Pathania made it clear that he would be very stern on any legislator casting aspersions on him
• “If any member has a grievance against my conduct, he can resort to the House Rules,” he added
• Pathania said that under no circumstances he would allow members to cast aspersions or accusations on the Chair of the Speaker