The main Opposition party in Vidhan Sabha, BJP, cornered the ruling Congress party on various issues when the special session of Vidhan Sabha resumed at 11 am on Monday. Apart from boycotting the session, the legislators also shouted anti Government slogans during the session.
Meanwhile, the Assembly Speaker GS Kunjwal ordered probe into four issues and eight Bills were also tabled during proceedings.
The House witnessed uproar of BJP MlAs along with Congress MlAs and former chairman of Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation, Pranav Singh 'Champion' demanding the removal of the corporation's managing director accusing him of corruption. The Speaker ordered that the MD to be attached to the Forest Department headquarter and that an inquiry be conducted into the allegations of corruption within 15 days. The question hour also witnessed protest by the legislators as they tried to corner the State Government over various issues. MlAs Nav Prabhat, PS Dhami and Bansidhar Bhagat expressed concern over the acute shortage of electricity in the State.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh updated House that 3,121 million units of electricity was generated till December 31, 2013 in the current financial year. MlA PS Dhami also enquired about the renewal status of arms' license for the ex-servicemen in the State, whereas MlA Sarita Arya expressed concern over the transfer of women employees from Bheemtal based Aquamall company to other States and was also joined by the leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Ajay Bhatt, who demanded probe into the matter.
The House again witnessed protest by the legislators over width of the Pithoragarh-Anwalaghat-Gangolighat road and Hridayesh apprised that instructions were already given to the department officials to send proposal to Union Government in order to seek approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Ajay Bhatt and Dhami cornered the State Government over the vacant posts of managing director and directors at Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited and Bhatt lamented that the meeting of audit committee took place at Noida instead of department headquarter. Replying to query, Hridayesh said that experienced persons with clean image would be appointed to the vacant posts. The legislators raised objections over the mining issue when Hridayesh was replying to seventh starred question on mining.
After cornering the State Government over mining, Bhatt alleged that the government is supporting mining mafia and tenders were passed in favour of private firms.
later, various Bills were tabled in the House and the Opposition welcomed the State Government's decision for passing Uttarakhand lokayukta Bill as it became the 27th Act of the State, after Uttarakhand Governor signed it on September 3, last year.
The House witnessed unruly scene when Hridayesh announced to amend the lokayukta Bill. The legislators led by Bhatt gathered near the well of the House and shouted anti-government slogans. They lamented that the State Government did not make efforts to make the Act public for nearly four months and now wanted to amend the Act. later, the House was adjourned till 3 pm. The House again witnessed protest by the legislators when proceedings resumed at 3:15 pm. The discussions were held under Rule 58 over shortage of lecturers, outstanding bills of sugarcane farmers, encroachment on play ground in the capital city, shortage of irrigation and potable water, shortage of medical officers at health centres, rape of a minor at Haridwar etc.
Irked over not getting enough time to express his views, BJP legislator SS Jeena boycotted the House. The House again witnessed remonstration by the legislators over lokayukta Bill and later, the Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal adjourned the House till 11 am on Tuesday.