Halqa in-charge issue again rocks Assembly

Wednesday, 25/03/2015

http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=127375&boxid=57970&uid=&dat=2015-03-25

CM REITERATES NO SUCH POST IN SAD, CONGRESS TABLES PM’S VISIT INVITE MENTIONING SUCH PEOPLE

Chandigarh : Less than a week after the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal denying any such appointments made the running Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on the floor of the House, the issue of so-called halqa (area) in-charges of ruling party once again rocked Punjab Vidhan Sabha here on Tuesday.

The main opposition Congress raised the issue during the Zero Hour when party’s MLA Randeep Singh Nabha tabled an official invitation card of Monday’s Prime Minister’s visit to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur, wherein the name of a local SAD leader was mentioned as “halqa in-charge” of SAD’s Ferozepur area.

“The card is from Chief Secretary and Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner, which mentions the name of your party’s halqa in-charge as well…,” Nabha told Badal, while waiving the card in the House.

Alleging it to be “breach of privilege”, the Congress legislator urged the CM to either make a statement on the floor of the House on what action will be taken in the matter else he will move a privilege motion.

Even as the Opposition members started raising slogans and got up from their seats as a mark of protest, the Chief Minister reiterated that there was no provision in the SAD’s constitution to make any such appointments. “In consultation with the party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, I again reiterate that SAD has not provision in its constitution to appoint halqa in-charges…,” Badal stated on the floor of the House, while assuring to seek a written explanation from Ferozepur DC regarding the matter.

However, in a bid to downplay the issue, Badal said, “It is a minor issue, for which I cannot hang anybody. Also, don’t expect any action against the officers, who all are discharging their respective duties very well.”

Joining the issue, another Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki also tried to speak on the subject but the Speaker Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal disallowed him, on the pretext that the issue has already come on record and Leader of the House has also made statement on the matter.

Amid the din, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said that whosoever printed the cards should be held responsible for it.

It was on March 19 that during the Zero Hour, Badal had clarified that there were no halqa in-charge made by SAD in the state.

Reacting to Congress MLA Nabha’s allegation that ‘halqa’ in-charges made by the ruling party in each district amounts to “murder of democracy”, Badal had stated, “It is not under Akali Dal’s constitution neither there is a provision of such a post.”

MOFAR ALLEGES SCAM
Speaking during Zero Hour, Congress legislator Ajit Inder Singh Mofar alleged that a major scam was committed in the purchase of toys for the children of Anganwari centers in the state. He alleged that each toy, which costs about Rs 1,000 was purchased for Rs 3,000.

Another Opposition member Balbir Singh Sidhu drew the state government’s attention towards the delay in disbursing cash awards announced to the sportspersons in various disciplines.

IYC CHIEF SNUBBED
No sooner Indian Youth Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who is also an MLA from Gidderbaha, tried to raise the issue of party’s farmer wing leader Inderjit Singh Zira’s case during Zero Hour, the Speaker denied permission to speak on the issue. “I know the issue very well… There are set security norms for PM and CM, nobody can enter their cavalcades…,” asserted the Speaker, while telling the Opposition member that security of VVIPs could not be compromised at any cost. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said that he wanted to bring condemnation resolution over Zira’s conduct, which he termed as “highly condemnable.”

JAKHAR TAKES CAG ROUTE
Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar referred to CAG report, which he alleged pointed out to Rs 17-crore scam in diverting the Central funds received for the welfare of physically-challenged children. Though he wanted to discuss the matter in detail, the Speaker denied him on the pretext that Zero Hour was not meant for discussing CAG report.