Congress walkout on day one of HP's budget session

The budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly today got off to a stormy start with the opposition Congress staging a walkout over the state government's reported move to amend local land laws.

The Congress legislators walked out after their plea for an adjournment motion to discuss proposed amendment in section 118 of HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act was denied.

Section 118 bars all non-agriculturists, including bonafide ones, from buying land in the state without the permission of the state government.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said no such proposal was under consideration and the Congress was raising hue and cry over nothing.
 

"The Congress should play the role of responsible opposition. We are not in a hurry and have no intention to work with vendetta. But if the Congress party demonstrates such a behaviour, we would also be forced to pay back in the same coin," said Thakur.

Parliamentary Affairs minister, Suresh Bhardwaj too condemned the walkout by Congress members and termed it "unwarranted".

Immediately as obituary references for two former MLAs, Thakur Ramanand from Solan and Atma Ram from Kangra district, who died recently, were over, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader, Mukesh Agnihotri stood up.

Agnihotri inquired about the notice submitted by Congress members for adjournment motion to discuss proposed amendment in section 118. He referred to the chief minister's statements on the issue and said it had led to apprehensions.

The Speaker, Rajeev Bindal, urged the Congress members to let him speak on the issue and give his ruling. The Congress members, however, did not relent and after shouting slogans for some time, they walked out of the House.

Rejecting the adjournment motion, Bindal said that it was not permissible under Rule 67 as the government has not taken any action or avoided action where it was required.

Lone CPM member, Rakesh Singha said there were apprehensions about section 118 and the chief minister should take the House into confidence, if at all there is any such move to be made in future.