Tags:
Journalism of Courage
SHIMLA, Dec 8: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly today witnessed frayed tempers as Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and former Speaker Kaul Singh Thakur clashed during the question hour over delay in filling up the vacancies of teachers in primary schools.
Thakur, who charged BJP-HVC government with its failure to provide teachers and thus rendering many rural schools non-functional, was challenged by the Chief Minister to substantiate the charge. An equally determined Thakur declared that he accepted the challenge and would not hesitate to resign his Assembly seat if he wasn8217;t able to prove his charge. Speaker Gulab Singh Thakur intervened and advised the members not to use threats during the question hour and only ask relevant supplementaries to the main written questions. Thakur then drew government8217;s attention towards schools in backward areas like Chauhar valley.
The Leader of Opposition Virbhadra Singh complained during the question hour that state government had resorted to witch hunting against panchayat pradhans and other functionaries belonging to the Congress party. He alleged that false cases were being registered against some pradhans. At the same time, he invited the government to hold free and fair inquiries against pradhans.
Dhumal assured the Opposition leader that state government had no intention of harassing pradhans, whatever party they may belong. He assured that if the Congress party suggested, some inquiries could also be referred to the CBI. Dhumal also gave details of cases registered against a pradhan in Shimla district. The issue was raised by Vipan Parmar BJP.
In a reply to a question of Harsh Mahajan informed the House that over 170 buildings constructed by the government had no approval of the Town and Country Planning Department. Of these, 110 belong to government departments and 63 to various public sector undertakings.
