Heated exchanges in Haryana Assembly between oppn, ruling benches

Heated exchanges were witnessed in the Haryana Assembly today as the INLD and Congress legislators sparred with the ruling BJP benches over the issues of Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal construction and stir launched by Anganwadi workers.
The members of the two opposition parties also staged a symbolic walkout from the House on two occasions over these issues.
During the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala sought a discussion on the SYL issue. However, the speaker told the senior INLD leader that he could raise the matter when the debate on the governor's address took place.
Most other INLD legislators present in the House got up and raised slogans against the BJP government, dubbing it as "anti-farmer". Later, Chautala told the speaker that his party had given an adjournment motion on the SYL issue.

Chautala alleged that the government was trying to mislead the people by saying that the issue was pending before the court whereas there was no bar on taking up the matter of canal's construction.
"The chief minister must reply as to what efforts have been taken by the state government to plead its case with the Centre to ensure that the water of SYL, which is a lifeline for the people of Haryana, gets built at the earliest," he said.

The Congress MLAs, meanwhile, who were led by their state legislature party leader Kiran Choudhary pressed for bringing an adjournment motion on Anganwadi workers and other issues.

Sharp exchanges were witnessed between the INLD and ruling BJP benches as the former indulged in sloganeering on the SYL issue, blaming the BJP government for the delay in its construction.
The INLD members also staged a walkout on the issue and as Chautala was walking out of the House, he took objection to some remark made by Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala.
When the INLD members resumed their seats, they launched an attack on Barala, who got up saying that he had not used any unparliamentary word and blamed opposition members for creating an unnecessary ruckus.
As heated exchanges continued between the two sides, Speaker Kanwar Pal warned the members, asking them to refrain from passing any personal remarks against other members.

While the speaker did not allow the adjournment motions, he allowed brief time to Choudhary and Chautala to speak on the matters raised by them. They asked the government to meet the genuine demands of the Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Choudhary said Anganwadi workers had been on a stir for 23 days in support of their demands, including regularisation of services and better honorariums.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain gave a detailed reply in the House on the Anganwadi workers' issue.
Later, taking part in the debate on the Governor's Address, Chautala again touched upon the SYL issue and said the state government must vigorously take up the issue with the Centre to ensure the canal's early construction.

The INLD is holding an 'Adhikaar rally' in Delhi on March 7 to pressure the Centre to complete the canal.
Earlier, Khattar had asked the opposition parties not to politicise the SYL issue and refrain from "inciting" public sentiments. He also said they must move forward on the construction rather than politicising the issue.