Vidhan Sabha adjourned sine die

After the 12-day monsoon session, the Vidhan Sabha was today adjourned sine die. Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said the house had 12 sittings, lasting 59 hours, registering a productivity of 98 per cent. “Several issues of public interest were raised during the session and replies to 509 starred and 181 unstarred questions were provided.

He said 12 issues were raised under Rule 62, six under Rule 130, one under Rule 63 and seven under Rule 101. There was debate on rain disaster under Rule 67 in the house and a resolution was passed by the house under Rule 102 that the rain fury be declared as a national disaster. He said five issues were raised under Rule 324. “The Zero Hour was most productive as 43 issues were raised by the legislators during this period,” he said.

“It has been my endeavour to ensure smooth conduct of the house for which I am grateful to both Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition,” he said. He thanked Deputy CM and Parliamentary Affairs Minister and all the legislators, both from ruling and opposition, for taking part in the house.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the BJP legislators should urge Centre to provide financial assistance in view of the large-scale damage. “In the larger interest of the state, we all need to join hands to work in the interest of the state. Himachal is facing a financial crisis but the state government is trying to provide relief within its limited resources,” he said.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur said he and his party legislators will seek financial assistance for Himachal as the state’s interests were of paramount importance. “Opposition always raises issues of public interest in the house, which is its responsibility. The government should take the opposition’s criticism as constructive to make improvements in the system,” he said.