Congress stages walkout from Himachal assembly over transfers

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on the second consecutive day on Wednesday with the opposition Congress staging a walkout. The issue this time was massive transfers of government employees.

Soon after the Question Hour, Congress members demanded a discussion on the issue through an adjournment motion under rule 67. They said the government conducted the maximum reshuffle in the education and health departments.

Not convinced about their demand, Speaker Rajeev Bindal clarified that the matter cannot be raised under rule 67. They could take up the issue under some other procedural rules like a calling attention motion.

He said hence the notices submitted by the Congress members for an adjournment motion were not admissible.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, who also holds the education portfolio, said the government was ready for a discussion but not under rule 67.

This angered the opposition members. After raising slogans, they staged a walkout.

Later, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur condemned the walkout, saying rule 67 should be taken seriously.

He said the previous Congress government had transferred 500,000 employees in five years.

"We are ready for discussion on any issue, provided there is proper environment for discussion," Thakur added.

--IANS

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