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Din in Punjab Assembly

Staff Correspondent

Congress seeks resolution of thanks for Centre's wheat bonus

CHANDIGARH: High decibel noisy scenes, which forced two adjournments marked the first day of legislative business of the newly constituted 13th Punjab

Assembly, as the Congress members demanded a resolution to thank the Union government for announcing the Rs 100 bonus on procurement of every quintal

of wheat and opposed the Punjab State Vigilance Commission (Repeal) Bill.

As soon as the House assembled in the morning, the Leader of the Opposition, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, demanded that while debating the Governor's Address to the House, the Assembly should also take up a resolution of thanks for the wheat bonus announced by the Centre, which according to her was unprecedented and would lead to major financial benefits to the farmers.

When the demand was not acceded to by the Speaker, N.S. Kahlon, the Congress legislators staged a noisy walk out. When they returned, the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, had introduced the Bill to repeal the Vigilance Commission. Speaking on the occasion, he pointed out various discrepancies and inadequacies as compared to the draft sent by the Union Government.

Ms Bhattal again opposed the Bill arguing that the matter was sub-judice and the House would do well in postponing the matter till the court gave its decision. Mr. Badal replied the government had sought legal opinion and would present its case before the court, when required. This led to noisy scenes, amid which the Speaker put the Bill to vote and it was passed.

The Congress legislators entered the well of the House and raised slogans. When repeated appeals from the Chair to the opposition MLAs to resume their seats failed to have any impact, the House was adjourned for half an hour. On resumption, the Congress MLAs sought a discussion on the Bill, which was again disallowed by the Speaker, who had called on Akali member, Gurdip Singh Bhullar to move the resolution to thank the Governor

for his Address.

The Congress members again entered the Well of the House and raised slogans. They even sat on dharna. When this failed to move the Speaker, they attempted to rush up to the chair, which was foiled by the watch and ward staff, while the Marshal was summoned to deal with any situation.

The House had to be adjourned again for half an hour, during which the Speaker invited leaders from both sides to his chamber.

The discussion on the motion of thanks on the Governor's address resumed finally and remained inconclusive till the house rose for the day.

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Din in Punjab Assembly

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