BJP MLAs stage walkout again

Shimla, February 16

The BJP legislators today staged a walkout again on the issue of police action against the villagers opposing water supply scheme over Ali khud on the border of Bilaspur-Solan district.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Pathania allowed Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma to raise the issue under Rule 62 in the House. Sharma said work was still underway in the scheme despite the villagers being vehemently opposed to it.

Sharma said people were opposing supply of water to Ambuja plant and residents of the adjoining Arki Assembly segment as in the summers the water level in the Ali khud dipped. “A total of 10 lakh litres of water will be lifted from this pump, which will reduce the flow from this khud,” he said. He warned that if the police cases were not withdrawn, the agitation would be intensified.

Replying on the issue, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said Rs 1.08 crore had been spent on the scheme and assured that the flow of water in the khud would not be affected. “The police action followed as MLA Randhir Sharma was leading the protesters and it is not that the police targeted him,” he said. He said the police cases could not be withdrawn as the law takes its own course.