Oppn question the treasury benches floor management in the house
The Opposition BJP in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Thursday raised the issue of floor management of the treasury benches in the house alleging that the Chief Minister and council of ministers abstained from the house in breach of house rules when the house was in session till late last evening.
As the house assembled today Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur pointed out that the floor management of treasury benches was not by the accepted norms of this august house. Raising the issue in the question hours that no concerned ministers were present in the house yesterday when houses were in session till late evening.
He said that the house’s meeting was last till late evening on Wednesday but no one from the treasury benches and government was present in the house to respond to the discussion under rule 130. He said that the chief minister and ministers of the government could not ignore the house when the assembly meeting was extended till late at night.
Defending the treasury benches Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan stated that the Leader of the opposition could not raise the issue of the floor management of treasury benches last evening as he was also not present in the house himself.
Mr Chauhan said that Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri was present in the house. He informed that all the council of ministers who were not in the house were present in the cabinet meeting which was scheduled at 1800 hrs on Wednesday. He said that during the previous BJP rule cabinet meetings were also held simultaneously with house meetings. He said that there would be no harm if the CM and concerned minister authorized his business to other cabinet members in his absence and it has also happened previously in the Congress and BJP rule.
Responding to the issue of floor management Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that they were not aware that the house was extended after 2000hrs but no one deliberately skipped the meeting as the cabinet meeting lasted till late night. He said that before going to the cabinet meeting he had authorized Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and hand over the records of his office to him properly and should not be blamed for skipping the house. He said that other ministers also authorized Deputy Chief ministers before leaving the house.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania instructed the treasury benches that members are expected to follow the rules of the house. He said that he ran or extended the house with the consent of the treasury and opposition benches till 2000 hr on Wednesday. He said that consent was taken by both sides as they agreed to it. He said that he was informed that the CM authorized the Deputy Chief minister before leaving the house. He said that it should be taken care of in the house that before leaving the house during the session the concerned minister also designated or authorized someone in the treasury benches to respond on his behalf to keep the house in order.
Earlier to this BJP pointed out that yesterday Public Works Development Minister Vikramaditya was expected to present in the house as the discussion under rule 130 was listed in the house. The issue of the Agriculture department was also listed for discussion in the house but after the cabinet meeting, Agriculture Minister Mr Chander Kumar also turned up in the house.
Issue of floor management of treasury benches quizzed by the opposition. The speaker directs all ministers should ensure to authorize someone before leaving the house during the session.
