Tempers ran high in Haryana Assembly on Thursday over the issue of rechristening the Government complexes named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The issue triggered off heated exchanges between the BJP and Congress legislatures throwing the State Assembly into pandemonium. later, the Congress MlAs also staged a walk-out of the Assembly on the issue.
The trouble began during the question hour when Health Minister Anil Vij replying to a question made on a comment regarding changing the name of Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex in the State. Taking strong objection to Vij’s remarks, Congress MlA and former Speaker Kuldeep Sharma dubbed it as a ‘mischievous statement’. Within few minutes, the Congress members were on their feet, demanding explanation from the Government over the issue.
“Who gave you power to change namesIJ BJP is doing politics on such sensitive issues,” alleged Congress MlA Karan Dalal.Angrily retorting, Anil Vij said, “We are seriously considering changing the name of all Rajiv Gandhi Khel Parisars in the State and I am speaking on the behalf of my Government”.
Amid pandemonium over the issue, the Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar stood up to clarify, saying “If there is any provision as per the law, the matter to change the name of Government complexes would be considered.”
The INlD sailed with the BJP legislators, saying that Congress did the same during their tenure. leader of opposition and INlD senior leader Abhay Chautala reminded the Congress legislators that it was during their tenure when the name of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi lal was removed from Panipat Thermal Power Plant.
He also slammed the previous Congress Government for disrespecting the freedom fighters and people who played a vital role in creation of Haryana. Chautala also asked the Chief Minister to re-consider the decision taken by Congress and re-name the Thermal Power Plant after Devi lal.
Responding to this, MlA Karan Dalal pointed out that the BJP-led Central Government has also named schemes after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee although he is still alive. Due to political reasons, saffron leaders are forgetting Congress leaders’ contribution to the nation, alleged Kuldeep Sharma.
Terming it as ‘RSS agenda’, the Congress legislators then complained to the Speaker Kanwar Pal Gujjar against the BJP legislators for making defamatory remarks against former Prime Ministers and dragging them into a controversy.
Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar said “Discrimination was blatantly done by the Congress in giving honours. Schemes and projects were named after their leaders. lakhs of people, who truly deserves it, should be given such honours and people who do not deserve it, their names should be removed.” Flaying the Government over the issue, ClP leader Kiran Chaudhary said, “Do not take their names like this and do not disrespect former Prime Ministers”.
The Congress legislators then stood up from their benches and staged a walkout, ending the ruckus which lasted for more than 20 minutes. While walking out of the house, the Congress legislators also alleged that the Speaker did not take any action against the BJP MlAs.
The Congress legislators later submitted a memorandum to Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki requesting him to direct the State Government to respect the former Prime Ministers and maintain the dignity of the House. The Congress also threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the State Government continues to misuse their power.
Hry Govt spent Rs24.92 cr on inter-state cases
Though the contentious issue of Sutlej-Yamuna link (SYl) canal remains unresolved, the issue has cost the Haryana Government Rs24.92 crore over the years. Giving details of total payments made to as many as 22 advocates from 2001 to February 28, 2015 for defending various inter-State cases on behalf of Haryana, the State Government in reply to a question said that Rs24.92 crore has been spent on the payments made to them.
With the reorganisation of Punjab in 1966, dispute over various issues, including river waters, have time and again erupted between Punjab and Haryana. The State Government had earlier informed the House that they would be approaching the Supreme Court to seek implementation of its two judgments that would pave the way for completion of the SYl canal so that Haryana gets its full share of surplus water from the Ravi and Beas rivers.
Govt spent Rs28.83 cr on ineligible BPl households
Monetary benefits worth Rs28.83 lakh and 31.27 lakh quintal of commodities like wheat/rice/pulses/sugar and 194.99 lakh litres kerosene oil were disbursed under Public distribution system, as non-monetary benefits to ineligible BPl (below poverty line) households by Haryana Government from 2009-14.
The State Government informed that 206696 lakh BPl cards issued to ineligible persons were cancelled after re-verification of BPl households and action is being taken against 2780 delinquent officers of various departments who have been prima-facie held responsible for laxity in supervision in issuance of BPl status to ineligible households.
Haryana to claim ownership on Agra Canal distributaries
Haryana Government will claim ownership rights from UP Government over all the nine distributaries of Agra canal which are passing through the district of Palwal and Mewat, stated the Haryana Government in a reply to a question over the issue of share of Haryana in Agra canal. The Government informed that at present, there is no separate share of Haryana from Agra canal and Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department is responsible for supply of water to these channels.
long route permits may be for pvt operators
Two days after bus services remained paralysed following protest by Haryana Roadways employees against grant of long route permits to private operators, the Government in a reply to a question informed that a proposal to formulate a new stage carriage scheme is under active consideration to grant State carriage permits to private bus operators on certain inter-State routes of the State. No time schedule was however given.