The final day of the Haryana Assembly’s winter session commenced with the customary Question Hour, witnessing active participation from both ruling party and opposition MLAs. Preceding this, legislators and ministers from opposing factions, including the Chief Minister, engaged in a session focused on the ‘Art of Living’.
Post a comprehensive two-hour dialogue, the Chief Minister advocated the therapeutic benefits of yoga in alleviating mental stress, emphasizing its role in nurturing a contented life. Encouraging everyone to embrace yoga, the CM revealed dedicating 45 minutes daily to this practice.
Amidst the session, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar commended the Chief Minister’s initiatives, particularly lauding efforts to promote crop diversification for the welfare of farmers. He pledged the support of their workers in bolstering the Chief Minister’s campaign.Congress MLA Raghuveer Kadian caused a stir by using objectionable language while addressing the House, prompting Speaker Gyan Chand Gupta to direct marshals to remove him from the premises. However, following a prolonged interval and at the request of former CM Bhupendra Singh Hooda, Kadian tendered an apology, leading the Speaker to permit his continued presence in the House.In the course of the Question Hour, Abhay Singh Chautala, the MLA from Ellenabad, highlighted instances of alleged corruption within municipal corporations. He cited specific cases in Hisar and Ambala as examples. In response, the Chief Minister acknowledged the concerns, stating that FIRs have been initiated in every reported case and assured ongoing investigations into all such matters.
Speaker Gyan Chand Gupta acknowledged 731 corruption cases but deemed discussing each impractical. Tension ensued between Abhay Chautala and the Speaker, with Chautala alleging bias. Palwal MLA Deepak Mangla highlighted railway crossing issues causing severe congestion. Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala suggested a flyover as a viable solution. Somveer Sangwan advocated for a new bus stand in Dadri, backed by Transport Minister Moolchand Sharma’s commitment to construct one wherever feasible. Gohana MLA Jagbir Malik addressed multiple concerns during the session.
MLA Jagbir Malik raised concerns about pervasive corruption, questioning the existence of any department free from such issues. Home Minister Anil Vij disclosed the registration of 1140 corruption cases since 2015, with 396 filed by the Haryana Police and the remainder by the Anti Corruption Bureau. In the recent Haryana Legislative Assembly’s winter session, two bills were successfully passed: the Haryana Dues Settlement (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The amendments aimed to introduce a provision allowing the Department to implement a scheme for settling dues under various governed Acts, emphasizing the urgent necessity for expanding educational institutions. The Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006, specifically aligns with the government’s initiative to enhance higher education capacity and standards in the state.
