Assembly in session: Heated exchanges during debate on resolution seeking Central assistance
The Vidhan Sabha today witnessed heated exchanges between the treasury benches and Opposition during the debate on the resolution seeking special financial assistance from the Centre on the analogy of Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Assam.
BJP is anti-Himachal
It would have been better if the House in one voice had supported this resolution seeking financial assistance from the Centre like given to the other three states. Their behaviour clearly shows that the BJP is anti-Himachal and their only concern is fulfilling their political agenda. Sukhvinder Sukhu, Chief Minister
Favouritism in relief disbursement
There were gross irregularities and favouritism in disbursement of relief given by the Centre for the affected families. Money given by the Centre was being misused. There is no financial crisis when it comes to giving hefty salaries to political appointees like CPS and OSDs. Randhir Sharma, Naina Devi MLA
Trouble broke out when Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi was taking part in the debate on the resolution moved by the Chief Minister under Rule 102, seeking special assistance from the Centre. Following a verbal spat between Negi and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur, the BJP staged a walkout.
“It would have been better if the House in one voice had supported this resolution seeking financial assistance from the Centre like given to the other three states,” the Chief Minister said. Their behaviour clearly shows that the BJP is anti-Himachal, the CM lamented.
Sukhu said the Opposition was confused and they are speaking against the interest of the state. “Getting money under the NDRF and the SDRF is our constitutional right and Centre will not do a favour by giving us this money as it is given to every state as per recommendations of the Finance Commission,” the CM said.
“I will meet the Union Finance Minister and seek the pending funds under the PDNA. We will fight for our rights and allocation that is our legitimate right,” he said.
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said the opposition is directionless and cannot rise above petty political considerations even when it concerns the state’s interest. The Centre is discriminating with Himachal and the state is being denied its rightful due.
Agnihotri said the Centre was not giving Himachal Rs 9,200 crore under new pension scheme (NPS) and had reduced the revenue deficit grant (RDG), GST and capped limit on externally aided projects and loan raising. “This is a conspiracy to destabilise our government and once again the BJP stands exposed as in the past also they have not supported resolutions moved in the interest of the state,” Agnihotri said.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said in a federal structure does Himachal not have the right to get financial assistance from the Centre. “Despite Central teams visiting Himachal thrice, the over Rs 9000 crore PDNA is awaited from the Centre,” he said.
Taking part in the debate, Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma said the state government provided relief to the affected and the Centre too pitched in. “There were gross irregularities and favouritism in disbursement of relief given by the Centre for the affected families,” said Sharma.
He said money given by the Centre was being misused. “There is no financial crisis when it comes to giving hefty salaries to political appointees like CPS and OSDs. We do not trust that the money given by the Centre will be used appropriately so till then we have not made up our mind to supporting the resolution,” he said. The Centre has already provided over Rs 6,000 crore help to Himachal, he added.
“This is not a political issue but a question of discrimination with 65 lakh people of Himachal. In the last five years when PM came to Himachal, the LoP did not raise any demand of Himachal or sought financial assistance,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan moving a resolution condemning opposition behaviour.
