M A I N   N E W S

Walkout in Punjab House
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 9 — The proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha were today disturbed by a sit-in the well of the house, slogan shouting and a walkout by the entire Opposition. They were joined by the 12-member splinter group of the SAD legislature party.

The trouble began during zero hour when Mr Ravi Inder Singh, sought to refer to the notice of adjournment motion he had sent to the Speaker, Mr Charnjit Singh Atwal, on March 8 on the subject of holding a peaceful rally. The reference was to March 4 rally in the native village of the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal.

The Speaker pointed out that since he had rejected the adjournment the same could not be discussed or raised in the House. He even reminded Mr Ravi Inder Singh that he as a former speaker he had himself set such a precedent.

The issue of March 4 rally was sought to be raised by the Opposition MLAs, including the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Mr Avtar Singh Brar (Congress) Mr Hardev Arshi (CPI), SAD splinter group members, Mr Inderjit Singh Zira and BSP’s Mr Shangara Ram Sanghura and several others.

There was cross-talk and arguments between Mr Ravi Inder Singh and Mr Atwal on the interpretation of the relevant rules governing the rejection of an adjournment motion notice. Finally when the Speaker did not relent, led by Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, Opposition members walked into the well of the House raising slogans. They squatted there. And later, thereafter, trooped out of the House to return after some time.

Another issue which generated heat in the House pertained to the setting up of Anandgarh close to Chandigarh. Several members were on their feet. Both the Chief Minister as well as the minister concerned, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, tried to pacify the members, but to no avail.

The question raised by Mr Ravi Inder Singh was if the proposed city was being set up in violation to the Chandigarh Periphery Act or not. Mr Hardev Arshi (CPI) wanted to know why the SAD has changed its stance on the city. He said when the same township, under the name of “new Chandigarh”, was proposed during the government of the late Mr Beant Singh the SAD President, Mr Badal, had opposed the same. He had then argued that such a township would mean uprooting thousands of people. At the same time it would tantamount to giving up Punjab’s claim on Chandigarh. Has the SAD given up claim on Chandigarh? Mr Arshi wanted to know.

Members suggested holding of a special discussion on the Anandgarh issue on some other occasion so that the views the House could be obtained.

During the session today three calling attention motions were also moved being a non-official members business day, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, MLA from Gidderbaha moved a resolution strongly pleading that the House recommend his resolution to enact legislation for taking effective steps to control population in the State.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, placed several papers on the table of the House. These were primarily reports of various organisations.

The calling attention motions were in respect of agitation by teachers of medical and dental colleges and non-existence of arrangements for treatment of orthopaedic patients in Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar; both by Ms Lakshmi Kanta Chawla and Mr Hardev Arshi. The third calling attention was on the slow pace of construction of Shahpur Kandi dam project by Mr Satya Pal Saini. The ministers concerned, Mr Manoranjan Kalia and Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, respectively, replied to these calling attention motions.

The Speaker also presented a report of the business advisory committee of the House, which had met on March 7. As per the programme chalked out till March 30, the Budget for 2000-01 will be presented on March 22.

The House shall meet at 10 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. on all working days and 2 pm after an off-day or a holiday till 6.30 p.m.

There will be double sitting on March 30.

The members were also informed that the Governor had given assent to five Bills passed in the last session.