HP Guv commends govt for performance, BJP stages walkout

Himachal Governor Urmilla Singh today commended the state government for the progress made and said efforts were needed to improve on the achievements, even as BJP members staged a walkout from the Assembly raising issues of corruption.
Addressing the Assembly on the opening day of budget session, the Governor said that the government had fulfilled most of the election promises and called upon the members to continuously strive to improve on the achievements.
Interrupting her speech, BJP members raised slogans and later walked out of the House saying the Governor did not mention the charge-sheet submitted by the party to the Governor against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh over allegations of corruption.

"A lot has been done in various sectors, yet continued efforts are still required to secure a prosperous and healthy future for all citizens of the state," the Governor said.
She also referred to the achievements of the government in sectors like health, education, hydropower and reiterated that the government was committed to policy of "zero tolerance" towards corruption.
Outside the House, opposition leader P K Dhumal told reporters that in the Governor's speech, there was no mention of the charge-sheet or referring it to CBI, and accused the government of trying to mislead the people on the issue of Vakamulla and Sai Koti project.

The Governors' address contained several schemes which were commissioned during the BJP regime and he claimed these as their achievements.
Later, when the House reassembled, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh condemned the action of BJP members and described it as against Constitution and parliamentary democracy.
Speaker B B L Butail described the BJP action as "unbecoming", and said he had told all the members during the all-party meeting that they would be given ample time to raise issues and participate in the discussions.