The potential destruction of the Aravalli hills and the Haryana government’s silence on the issue took centre stage on Tuesday as Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government of systematically evading discussion on matters of public interest during the recent Assembly session.
A new uniform definition of the Aravalli hills has sparked a controversy as it could leave more than 90 per cent of the 692-km-long range vulnerable to mining and construction. Calling the Aravallis the “lungs of Haryana,” Hooda cited a Forest Survey of India report, warning that their degradation would have the most severe impact on the state, including a sharp rise in pollution.
He said the Congress had moved a short-duration discussion on the issue in the Winter Session that concluded on Monday, but the government avoided debate. “Why did the government not defend Haryana’s interests in the Supreme Court, and why is it not filing a review petition now?” he asked, adding that no clear answer had been given.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Chandigarh on Tuesday, Hooda described the BJP government’s conduct in the Assembly as “anti-people and evasive”. He alleged that throughout the session, the Opposition’s questions, resolutions, and motions on public concerns were ignored. “For the first time in the history of the Haryana Assembly, not a single adjournment motion, suspension of business motion, or short-duration discussion proposed by the Congress was accepted,” he said.
Hooda said the Congress had sought debates on a wide range of issues, including mining in the Aravalli hills, the status of Chandigarh, farmers’ distress, unemployment, recruitment scams, Minimum Support Price, MNREGA, corruption, education, health, the SYL water dispute, rising pollution, and alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders. “But the government showed no willingness to discuss any of these,” he alleged.
He also accused the BJP of trying to divert attention from serious allegations of “vote chori” by bringing a proposal on electoral reforms in the Assembly. “This subject does not even fall under the Assembly’s jurisdiction. That is why the Congress walked out of the House. We will bring a special resolution on vote chori again in the next session,” Hooda said.
From sports infra to Chandigarh status
On sports infrastructure, Hooda said Haryana’s national standing had improved significantly under the Congress government due to a focused sports policy and the construction of over 300 stadiums. “Today, these stadiums are in a dilapidated condition,” he claimed. Referring to the deaths of young sportspersons Hardik Rathi and Aman Kumar in Lakhan Majra and Bahadurgarh, respectively, Hooda said government negligence was responsible and alleged that the BJP did not even respond to a motion seeking discussion on the issue.
Raising concerns over MNREGA, Hooda said that while around 8 lakh people are registered under the scheme, only 2,100 have received the full 100 days of work. He also claimed that no compensation had been paid to workers in the past five years, despite mandatory provisions. He further alleged that drug-related deaths in Haryana had surpassed those in Punjab and that corruption was rampant.
On the status of Chandigarh, Hooda said the Congress repeatedly sought clarity amid reports of shifting positions and the alleged rejection by the Union Home Ministry of proposals related to a new Assembly building. “If Chandigarh is the capital of Haryana, then who can stop us from acquiring land of our own?” he asked.
Referring to the SYL canal issue, Hooda said Supreme Court orders were final and reminded that an all-party meeting had earlier decided to approach the President and Prime Minister. “The chief minister took responsibility for arranging a meeting with the Prime Minister, but it has not happened to this day,” Hooda said.
He also questioned discussions in the Assembly on issues such as Vande Mataram and electoral reforms, calling them attempts to hide governance failures. “These are not matters that can be decided by a state Assembly,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s financial health, Hooda cited a NITI Aayog report placing Haryana 14th out of 18 states in the Fiscal Health Index and 15th in the debt index. He said the state’s total debt had crossed Rs 5.16 lakh crore and was likely to rise further.
He also pointed to shortages across departments, including a 40 per cent shortfall of doctors, a large number of vacant teaching posts, and nearly half of all sanctioned government posts lying vacant.
Concluding, Hooda said the government failed to respond to any issue raised during the no-confidence motion, including the cancellation of BPL cards and unfulfilled promises under welfare schemes. “The BJP government wants the opposition to remain silent, but the Congress will continue to raise the voice of the people—from the Assembly to the streets,” he said.
Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the Congress had sought debates on a wide range of issues, including mining in the Aravalli hills. (File photo) 
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