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Tribune News Service
Shimla, February 7
The ‘delay’ in completion of formalities for declaration of 69 national highways (NHs) generated heat in the Vidhan Sabha today with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur accusing the Congress of trying to play politics over development.
The House witnessed a pandemonium as treasury benches and Opposition members indulged in counter-sloganeering and table thumping. The Congress staged a walkout, accusing the BJP regime of misleading the public with no ground work having been done for the construction of the NHs, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 65,000 crore.
The issue was raised by Leader of the Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri during Question Hour. “Our stand has been vindicated as it is clear that till date not even a single NH has been notified. On the contrary, the BJP tried to get political mileage in the Assembly polls by making false claims,” he said.
Replying to a query on the status of NHs, the CM, who holds the portfolio of the PWD, turned the tables on the Congress by stating that it was the Congress which delayed the appointment of consultants for preparing DPR.
“While the Congress regime was able to outsource the work for only eight NHs, our regime has appointed consultants for DPRs for 50 roads,” he said. He added that Rs 173.75 crore had been sanctioned by the Centre for the DPR preparation.
Nothing could be heard in the din as BJP members indulged in thumping of tables while Opposition members retaliated by raising slogans that the 70 NHs was a deceit with the people of the state. Congress members finally staged a walkout while raising slogans.
Condemning their behaviour, the CM said the Congress was desperately trying to look for a reason to stage a walkout. “It is unfortunate that rather than development being a joint agenda and responsibility of both parties, the Congress was trying to create hurdles,” he said.
Replying to a query by Satpal Raizada on the need for flexibility being granted in giving money for installation of equipment in gymnasium from the MLA Area Development Fund, the CM said it was a good suggestion. “There are 20 permissible activities for which money from the fund can be spent,” more activities are added.
‘Farmers’ dues stand at Rs 2.15 cr’
Replying to a query by Rakesh Singha on the pending payment of Rs 2.15 crore to farmers from commission agents, Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda said steps were being taken to get the money released
The minister said 90 cases had been registered, 30 commission agents declared PO and four arrests had been made. Balbir Verma said pending dues to apple and vegetable growers could well be over Rs 50 crore
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