Women MLAs presided over the proceedings of the Haryana Assembly here on Monday even as treasury and opposition benches sparred over the farmers’ issue.
Congratulating them on International Women’s Day, Speaker Gian Chand Gupta announced names of four MLAs--Seema Trikha (BJP), Naina Singh Chautala (JJP), Geeta Bhukkal (Congress) and Kiran Chaudhary (Congress)—to conduct proceeding of the House for the remaining day after the Question Hour.
Women members also initiated the debate on the Governor’s Address with BJP-JJP legislators Seema Trikha and Naina Chautala spelling out welfare initiatives taken by their government for farmers and women.
However, Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal launched a scathing attack against the government on the farmers’ issue and described it as “insensitive”. She criticised Agriculture Minister J P Dalal for his controversial remarks over farmers’ death at protest sites near Delhi borders. She also flashed photos of the farmers who died during the course of the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws, saying the government snatched brothers from sisters and husbands from wives.
“You should feel ashamed that not even one word has been said for farmers,” Bhukkal said, hitting out at the treasury benches. “Farmers want to put their word before elected representatives but they have no time to listen to them. In the country, where slogans of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan are raised, this is the situation of farmers,” she said. “The prime minister and the chief minister should perform their ‘’raj dharma’’ and fulfil demands of farmers,” she added.
Reacting to it, ministers Mool Chand Sharma, Kanwar Pal and J P Dalal defended the government, claiming that it has brought several schemes for the farmers’ welfare. Contrary to the falsehood being spread by the Opposition, the “mandis” are here to stay and are being strengthened, Dalal said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kanwar Pal asked opposition members how much increase in crop MSP was affected during 10 years of their rule. “What was the condition of farmers then, what is it now,” he asked.
Congress MLA Shelly said the government talks of doubling farmers’ income on one hand and on the other, it has brought “black” farm laws. “When farmers don’t need these laws, why are these being thrust upon them,” she asked, stressing that the laws should be rolled back. Sombir Sangwan, an Independent MLA who had withdrawn support to the Manohar Lal Khattar-led Haryana government over the farmers’ issue, said, “There is not even one paisa benefit for farmers in these farm laws.” He said these laws will destroy farmers. Independent MLA Devender Singh Babli, who is supporting the Khattar government, asked why “step-motherly treatment” is being extended to Tohana, his constituency.
68 FARMERS DIES DURING PROTEST IN HARYANA
Sixty-eight farmers of Haryana and Punjab who had participated in the ongoing agitation against the centre’s farm laws, died till February 18, statistics tabled on Monday in the assembly session showed.
Data further revealed that out of these, 51 farmers died due to health issues while 15 died due to road accidents and two committed suicide. 21 farmers out of these were residents of Haryana and the remaining 47 deceased were residents of Punjab.
Congress MLAs Aftab Ahmed and Indu Raj Narwal asked the Home Minister Anil Vij to inform them about the number of farmers who died during farmers’ agitation against centre’s new agriculture laws.
Data revealed that 47 farmers of Punjab died in Haryana during farmers’ agitation in different districts of Haryana. 14 farmers of Punjab died in Sonepat, while one in Ambala, 29 died in Jhajjar, two in Hisar and one each in Ambala and Bhiwani.
Both MLAs also asked the Home Minister about whether there is any proposal under consideration of the government to give the status of martyr and to provide govt jobs and financial assistance to the families of deceased farmers of Haryana. Vij said in a statement tabled in the House revealed that there is no such proposal under the consideration of the State government.
Independent MLA Balraj Kandu asked the Urban Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij whether there is a proposal under consideration of the government to provide the basic amenities like electricity, water, cleanliness and health to the farmers and labourers agitating in Kisan Dharna on the border of the Delhi in State. Vij told the House in reply that sanitation facilities are being provided by the municipalities with the deployment of about 118 personnel.
Facility of approximately 750 toilet seats has been provided at agitation sites. The adequate facility of street light has been made available at NH-44 and from Tikri Border to Jakhoda Border. Drinking water is being supplied through water tanks at agitation sites and water storage units have been installed, 10 ambulances and 10 bike ambulances have been stationed at the protest site at NH- 44 and four ambulances stationed at Tikri Border.
LEADER OF OPPOSITION RIDES TRACTOR OUTSIDE ASSEMBLY TO PROTEST RISE IN FUEL PRICES
On the second day of the Budget session, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupendra Singh Hooda on Monday carried out a protest on a tractor against a fuel price hike outside the Vidhan Sabha. Other Congress MLAs pulled the tractor with ropes. Faridabad NIT MLA Neeraj Sharma reached assembly on an Activa.
Congress MLAs raised slogans against the government for the rising prices of LPG, petrol and diesel, and high inflation. Shakuntla Khatak pulled an auto to protest against fuel and LPG price hike. Within a few minutes, the police stopped the tractor. Congress MLAs jostled with police personnel as they were not allowing the tractor to move ahead.
Talking to reporters, Hooda said that due to the faulty policies of the Government, the common man is facing a problem of price rise. On the one hand, income is decreasing due to economic recession and on the other expenses are increasing due to inflation. Due to an increase in the rate of petrol and diesel, the prices of all the households are adversely being affected, he added.