Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Pathania defers Question Hour, allows discussion on corruption

Speaking on the issue, BJP MLA Randhir Sharma asked the state government to clarify its stance on the alleged excise policy scam and accusations of corruption involving undue benefits to a private company assigned to the construction of a hydel project in the Kinnaur district. Sharma also questioned the state government over other issues including one-time settlement of monetary debts among others.

The discussion began in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, and other Cabinet ministers. However, LoP Jairam Thakur was absent when the BJP MLA began speaking.

Chief Minister Sukhu pointed out Jairam Thakur’s absence, questioning the importance of the discussion if the Opposition leader was not present. Moments later, Jairam Thakur entered the House.

On December 11, when the Congress party-led state government held an event in Bilaspur marking two years in power, BJP leaders submitted a memorandum to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, alleging widespread corruption during the government’s tenure.

Sources said the Opposition’s success in having the Question Hour deferred for a discussion on the alleged corruption was a ‘short triumph’ on the first day of the Winter Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.

The four-day Winter Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly will end on December 21.