Uttaranchal Bill introduced
Noisy protest by Akalis, Trinamool Congress

NEW DELHI, Dec 22 — Two adjournments, noisy scenes, a scuffle and protests marked the day’s proceedings as the Government introduced Bills for the creation of Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh states in Lok Sabha but held back one relating to Vananchal.

The Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, introduced the Bills for reorganisation of the States of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the Shiromani Akali Dal representative, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, protesting against inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in the proposed state of Uttaranchal.

The government decided not to introduce the third Bill for reorganisation of Bihar in the face of strong protest from MPs of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party who opposed bifurcation of Bihar. After noisy protests and a scuffle the matter was resolved at an all-party meeting in the Speaker’s Chambers.

While other MPs of the SAD including Mr Zora Singh Mann, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, Mrs Satinder Kaur Dhaliwal and Mr Tarlochan Singh Toor, were present during the introduction stage, persistent efforts by Mr Chandumajra resulted in the Speaker permitting him to state his viewpoint. The Trinamool Congress leader, Ms Mamata Banerjee, also supported the SAD stand.

Mr Chandumajra said the SAD was opposed to the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar district in the proposed state of Uttaranchal. He said the government had brought forward the legislation even before the George Fernandes committee had prepared its report on the issue.

He urged that discussion on the Bill be deferred till the report by the committee set-up by the Prime Minister to go into the issue of Udham Singh Nagar was finalised.

The Trinamool Congress leader, Ms Banerjee, too stood alongside the SAD and said while her party was in principle not opposed to formation of new states, in case of Uttaranchal by including Udham Singh Nagar, the government was not taking into consideration the views of the people residing there.

She said 200 of the 225 panchayats of the district had favoured to stay with Uttar Pradesh after reorganisation and reiterated that the Fernandes committee was yet to visit the area to ascertain views of the residents there.

The Home Minister, Mr Advani, assured the government would give full weightage to the report of the Fernandes committee. He said the report and the suggestions of the legislative assemblies of UP and MP in respect of Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh could be taken up during discussion on these Bills.

He assured that no decision would be taken without taking into consideration the opinion of the members.

Mr Advani said as per practice in Parliament, a Bill was opposed at the introduction stage only if there was doubt if the House was competent to legislate on it. This objection was raised by Mr Arif Mohammed Khan (BSP).

Earlier, Mr Manoranjan Bhakta (Congress) wanted a separate legislation for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while Mr S.K. Bwiswmuthiary (Independent) demanded separate statehood for Bodoland. Ms Mayawati (BSP) also opposed the introduction of Bill stating that the UP State Legislature had resolved to exclude Haridwar district from the proposed state.

It was a day of tumult as proceedings in the Lok Sabha had to be adjourned twice, once soon after the start and second after re-assembly at 1215 hours. A scuffle between members belonging to the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party also took place as they crossed over to the treasury benches.

When the House re-assembled after the first adjournment, RJD MPs led by Mr Raghuvansh Prasad crossed over towards the treasury benches as an MP rushed in the direction of Home Minister who stood up to table some parliamentary papers.

In the meantime, two BJP women MPs from Bihar, Mrs Rita Verma and Mrs Abha Mahto intervened as the RJD MP, Mr S.P. Yadav, nearly clashed with them. Seeing this, BJP’s Mr Ashok Pradhan came to the rescue of his party MPs. The Speaker promptly adjourned the House once again.

Later the Speaker convened an all-party meeting in his chamber where it was decided that the government would introduce the Bills relating to Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh.

Talking to mediapersons, the RJD MP, Mr M.A.A. Fatmi, said the Bill seeking creation of Vananchal had been referred back to the Union Cabinet following strong opposition today.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madal Lal Khurana told the media the Bill seeking to create Vananchal in the tribal belt of South Bihar would be introduced in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.

The Vananchal Bill had been postponed and not withdrawn, he explained.

The Union Cabinet would informally meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow and review the Vananchal Bill afresh, he added.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra today accused the Centre of trying to weaken the country’s democratic and federal set up for political gains through the proposed Bill on Vananchal, despite its rejection by the Bihar assembly.

Opposing the Bill, he said political parties against Vananchal should form a joint front to launch an agitation to prevent creation of the proposed state as it would not only jeopardise Bihar’s interests but also threaten the country’s unity.

Terming the Bill as anti-constitutional, the Bihar Jana Congress leader said the BJP-led government should refrain from pressing the legislation as the people of Bihar were against carving out of Vananchal. He said he had written to the Prime Minister on the issue.

"No state has ever been divided against its wish," he said, alleging the BJP-Samata Party combine was trying to divide Bihar for political gains.

He said with the mineral-rich and industrialised Vananchal being sought to be separated from Bihar, the rest of the state would represent a totally rural agricultural economy bereft of any viable industry.

Asking the Congress to reconsider its decision to support the Bill, he said the creation of Vananchal would be detrimental to the interests of the party. Asked if he would support a larger Jharkhand state, Mr Mishra said he favoured total reorganisation of states.