Deadlock over suspension of Cong MLAS enters Day 4
Congress claims that the Speaker is “biased” and demands revocation of the suspension order
SHIMLA: The deadlock over suspension of five MLAS continued on Wednesday as the Congress staged a walkout from the Himachal Pradesh Assembly for the fourth day in a row terming the action by the Speaker “biased” and demanding revocation of the suspension order.
As soon as the House assembled for the day’s proceedings, Congress member Jagat Singh Negi stood up to talk. However, Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar said he would listen to Negi after the question hour. But Negi insisted and was allowed to speak.
Negi said he wanted the Speaker to give a ruling on point of order under Rule 323. On February 26, the House was adjourned but was soon recalled at 12.46pm, asking the members to assemble at 12.50pm, giving them just four minutes to do so, Negi pointed out.
He stated that this duration was not adequate, and the members should have been given at least 48 hours to re-assemble after the House was adjourned. He alleged that on that day, without listening to the opposition, unilateral action
Awas taken. No one is even hanged without being given a hearing, said Negi adding that at 3.25pm, an FIR was lodged by a Vidhan Sabha marshal against the five members and sedition charges were pressed against them.
With this, he announced the commencement of the question hour. The opposition members resisted his stance and sought the ruling immediately, however, the Speaker didn’t budge.
In protest, the opposition members started shouting slogans and then walked out of the House.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, who is also the leader of the House, condemned the walkout. He said that the entire opposition should have apologised to the governor.
₹12 crore spent on snow clearing ops this winter The Public Works Department, National Highway Authority of India and other departments incurred expenditure of ₹12.05 crore on the snow clearing operations in Himachal Pradesh this winter season, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur informed the House on Wednesday.