Haryana monsoon session begins under Covid shadow today, may be cut short

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Vidhan Sabha session that begins on Wednesday could be wrapped up in a single sitting due to the lurking threat of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), deputy speaker Ranbir Gangwa indicated on Tuesday.

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Vidhan Sabha speaker Gian Chand Gupta, transport minister Mool Chand Sharma, Karnal MP Sanjay Bhatia and four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators — Aseem Goyal (Ambala City), Laxman Napa (Ratia), Harvinder Kalyan (Gharaunda) and Ram Kumar Kashyap (Indri) — have tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the session scheduled for 2pm on August 26.

Khattar is undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. “Due to the pandemic, some MLAS have also suggested to limit the house proceedings to one day. Due to the prevailing circumstances, the MLAS are reluctant to stay back overnight here,” said Gangwa, who will preside over the assembly proceedings in speaker Gupta’s absence.

The final decision about the

duration of the session, Gangwa said, will be taken by the business advisory committee (BAC) that will meet before the session on Wednesday. According to deputy speaker, Covid-19 test reports of all other MLAS, who will attend the session, was negative.

In the 90-member house, one seat is vacant. The monsoon session will begin under strict social distancing protocols. Visitors will not be allowed to watch the assembly proceedings this time.

The house was first sanitised on Saturday and the exercise was

repeated on Tuesday evening. The deputy speaker said 365 employees and officers of the Vidhan Sabha had undergone Covid test, six of whom tested positive.

Gangwa said 187 questions were received from MLAS, besides 30 calling attention motions, one private bill and four adjournment motions that were under considerations.

HOODA INTERACTS WITH KHATTAR

Leader of the opposition in Haryana assembly, Bhupinder Singh

Hooda, who had an interaction with Khattar, said he could consider the plea for a shortened session in view of the Covid-19 situation.

“However, it all depends on the quantum of legislative business. The number of adjournment motions, calling attention motions and bills tabled will be a factor in deciding the duration of the session,” Hooda said.

The Congress has submitted four adjournment motions and 10 calling attention motions. Gangwa said 40 starred questions have been taken up for the question hour.

However, all starred questions have been converted into unstarred questions. A reply to an unstarred question is merely tabled in the house, not expressed verbally.

Two calling attention motions raised by INLD MLA Abhay Singh Chautala on the issue of registries and infant mortality rate have been accepted and others are under consideration.

Hooda, meanwhile, said the adjournment motion will be brought by the Congress to discuss three new farm ordinances, issues of registry, liquor scam, and sacked physical training instructors.