No extension,but time for discussion allowed

During the discussion on business advisory committee’s report,CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said the Assembly session should be extended as the Opposition wanted to discuss various issues,like fiscal health of the state,law and order,damage due to floods and misappropriation of Shagun scheme and pension funds. Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon assured that ample time would be given for discussion without extending the session.

During the call-attention motion,Virsa Singh Valtoha raised the issue of increasing number of accidents and was informed by Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal that the department was working hard at every level to make driving safer for commuters. Balbir Singh Sidhu drew attention of Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur towards the policy of revising and fixing salaries of university and college teachers who retired before 2006. The minister replied that a notification on revised pension had been issued and government teachers’ case sent to the finance department.

There were fireworks between Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira,who wanted to know why the state had not sent a detailed proposal of the project to check floods to the Central Water Commission. Sekhon said the state had sent a proposal for 28 projects,but the Centre wanted it river-wise,which had also been sent,but the department had not received any reply.

Sidelights
*When PWD Minster Parminder Singh Dhindsa got up to reply to Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s comment,she said he should sit down,adding that he seemed to be in Class I and had to learn a lot.

*When the CM told Bhattal that he was ready for one-to-one session with her,she said as her discussion involved many departments,he should be sure of taking so much of burden.

*On the Opposition’s persistent demand to extend the session,Speaker Kahlon said: “Why,don’t you want to go to Delhi to watch Commonwealth Games?”