The start of the monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha saw members of both the treasury and opposition benches questioning the Government on various issues pertaining to the social welfare, transport and tourism departments among other issues. Later during the post-lunch session, the Congress members walked out on the issue of price rise.

Congress MLA Mamta Rakesh asked the social welfare minister Yashpal Arya about departmental budgetary allocations under special category sub plan and whether there was provision for seeking recommendations of MLAs for such works. The Minister replied stating that presently there is no provision for seeking inputs from MLAs for such works. Opposition members objected to this stating that this amounts to downplaying the role of an elected representative in a democracy.

Independent MLA Pritam Singh Panwar sought information about works undertaken since formation of Tehri special area tourism development authority, in response to which Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj informed that appointments had been made to posts in the board and 48 licenses had been issued for water sports on the Tehri dam reservoir to locals though the authority had not held a meeting so far. BJP MLA asked about the number of Uttarakhand transport corporation buses in the workshop, the reason for this and Government’s plan for resuming operation of these buses. Transport Minister Yashpal Arya informed that presently 58 buses were in the workshop for maintenance works, engine replacement and repair works. This is a routine process with efforts underway to get the buses on road.

Replying to MLA Mamta Rakesh’s query related to the continued sale of non-ISI mark helmets, Arya informed that efforts would be made to stop the sale of such inferior quality helmets sans ISI mark. Congress MLA Qazi Nizamuddin raised the question of irrigation canals in Uttarakhand for repairing which one had to depend on Uttar Pradesh.

Minister Satpal Maharaj said that the issue is being raised with UP.

Later during discussion on the subject of price rise under rule 58, leader of opposition, Indira Hridayesh said that the rise in price of petrol and diesel had created major problems for the citizens. She stressed that the double-engine Government should take concrete measures to control such price rise.