Tension flared in Tapovan, Dharamshala, ahead of the third day of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly’s winter session as MLAs of both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP held parallel protests at the main gate of the Assembly complex. Members of both parties raised slogans against each other, creating a charged atmosphere even before the House convened.
The Congress Legislature Party staged a protest demanding the release of the ₹1,500-crore special package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the state on September 9. Congress MLAs alleged that despite Himachal Pradesh battling severe disaster-related losses, the Centre has not released the promised amount even after more than two months. They accused the Union government of adopting a “step-motherly” attitude toward the state.
Meanwhile, the BJP Legislative Party organised a protest accusing the Sukhu-led Congress government of being “anti-employee.” BJP MLAs held placards and alleged that the state government had failed to clear medical reimbursement bills, arrears, leave encashment, gratuity, DA, and pension payments. Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur criticised the government, saying that despite taking “record debt,” it had failed to provide financial benefits to employees and pensioners. He asserted that the state would eventually receive the package announced by the Prime Minister.
The confrontation between the two parties outside the Assembly echoed inside the House. Sloganeering by the opposition before Question Hour forced the Speaker to adjourn proceedings for ten minutes.
The issue of the pending ₹1,500-crore special package is expected to dominate discussions inside the Assembly as well. Congress MLAs Kuldeep Rathore and Kewal Singh Pathania have submitted questions on the delay in the release of funds, while BJP MLAs J.R. Katwal and Deepraj have sought details on the utilisation of disaster management funds received from the Centre over the past three years.
With both sides sharpening their attacks, a stormy debate is anticipated in the House today
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