Monsoon session of HP Assembly starts on a stormy note

The 10-day long monsoon session of Himachal Pradesh Assembly started on a stormy note today with an adamant opposition seeking immediate discussion on damage caused due to excessive rains, obstructing proceedings and trooping into the well of the House.
Immediately after obituary reference to senior Congress leader and former MLA Sarla Sharma, who died on May 2, opposition BJP member Suresh Bharadwaj was on his feet and asked the Speaker about an adjournment motion submitted by four BJP members for immediate discussion on damages caused by heavy rains in Kinnaur and other parts of the state and argued that the matter was very important and should get priority over other business.

The Speaker informed the members that the motion was received late and since there were procedural flaws, the motion was rejected.
He said the Chief Minister would be making a statement on the issue as several members had asked questions and sought discussion.
But, unrelenting BJP members continued to press for admission of the notice and Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal suggested that the statement of the Chief Minister and another discussion on frequent earthquakes sought by BJP member Mohinder Singh be clubbed and discussion be allowed to break the impasse.
When the Speaker began with question hour, BJP members started raising slogans and trooped into the well of the House, came close to the treasury benches and tried to stall proceedings.

The Sepaker took up the questions and later Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh laid a copy of his statement amid the din on losses due to heavy rains and the House was adjourned for the day.

Earlier, the House mourned the death of veteran freedom fighter and senior Congress leader Sarla Sharma who was a member of Himachal Assembly.
Moving the obituary motion, Chief Minister said Sharma was a relentless fighter and took part in freedom movement, was member of Himachal Assembly and also served as a minister.
Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal and other members also paid tributes to Sharma.