The monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha began in Shimla today. There will be six sittings during the week-long monsoon session.During the session, the opposition Congress is expected to attack the BJP government in the state on issues like the recent hike in the fares of public transport buses, increase in value-added tax on consumer goods, allegedly deteriorating law and order situation and invitation to private Universities to set up institutes in the state.Having faced accusations from own party leaders, for bailing out the BJP government in the House, the opposition Congress today hinted that the housel witness the party MLAs taking on the Prem Kumal Dhumal-led government.Few weeks back, the AICC general secretary Birender Singh had conveyed displeasure to PCC president Kaul Singh Thakur about some party leaders thriving on their ‘friendly’ ties with the BJP government.But, the party’s padyatra seems to have set the tone for upcoming session even as the BJP, sources said, is ready turn the tables on the Congress.The most potent issues in hand with the Congress remains corruption and the government’s alleged patronage of land mafia, indiscriminate sanctioning of private universities and violations of section118 of HP tenancy and Land Reforms Act to approve projects under HP Apartment and Property Regulations Act – an issue already a subject of judicial inquiry.The Congress, however, has rejected the government’s offer to submit the proof of benami land deals and diversions made for private Housing projects to the Judicial Commission, calling it a meaningless exercise to cover up irregularities. Meanwhile the govt looks confident because of Anna Hazare movement going on in the country.Some of the important legislations being introduced include The Public Services Guarantee Bill to provide time bound basic services to the citizens and Special Court Bill to empower the government to seize properties of the corrupt officials.
News On AIR | August 23, 2011 11:31 AM
Monsoon Session of HP Vidhan Sabha begins