Opposition skips scoring points during 67- debate in Assembly on Wednesday

Despite settings healthy standard by the Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to allow opposition members in Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly to participate in debate under ‘noman land’ of rule 67 debate on Wednesday, the opposition seemed to skip major scoring points by caught unprepared as it lacked in the substance. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu agreed for debate and replied to debate scored points despite having agenda of debate was in favor of opposition. During the debate opposition was expected to target the new Government for denotification of institutions in last three months. The strong arguments of treasury benches to close down Institutions was lack of budgetary provision and staff which is virtually true baring few Institutions opened on priority or need base. Opposition BJP under leadership of Jai Ram Thakur appeared on the receiving end as it was blamed to unveil foundation stones and refurbished Government old properties to camouflage as new institutions and installation despite having voted adequate Budget. Bhawani Singh Pathania a Congress party single MLA who is not so high in the stature of Parliamentary democracy blown away all logic of BJP MLAs by speaking against the motion in well homework academic debate which in opinions of a senior journalist was of really academic interest. Mr Pathania counters all logic behind the motive of opposition to bring the adjournment motion and exposed the hypocrisy of opposition. He  could not counter by any of MLA of opposition benches however Government could be cordon on the issue of jumbo Government. Mr Sukhu who have meteoritic rise from the ashes of vanished Congress lobby of Pandit Sukh Ram no-doubt grown more than its expected strength and humble background. But Sukhu is on the wet pith of politics being cornered from inside and outside over volley of issues. He tried to loud a slogan of ‘minimum Government maximum governance’ but in fact it is not true like previous government. Opposition couldn’t target the Congress for spending too much despite having empty coffer. If Government couldn’t run BJP run or opened institutions how is it spending on the army of so many CPS, Chairman, Vice chairman, Advisor and OSDs. This argument was figured during first day of Budget session when opposition made an futile attempt to initiate a discussion under rule 67 on withholding of MLA’s discretionary fund by Government. Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri demolished the argument of Government by the friends (Dauston ki sarkar by opposition) by stating that Jai Ram Thakur have also left same legacy of jumbo Government of advisors and OSDs etc. Thus on Wednesday opposition benches skipped the scoring points during the debate. Among those who could effective for the motion was first time Speaker Dr Janak Raj who defended Jai Ram Thakur former rule by stating that it was compulsion of BJP to open 80 pc institutions in last one year of its rule in Election time because entire country and state was facing wrath of lockdown for two years of its rule which was countered effectively. He also hit the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government by denying funds for popular Himcare health scheme launched by Jai Ram Thakur Government and not releasing funds for Ayushman scheme. He said that by denying health benefit to beneficiary is inhuman and anti-people which should not be there. Dr Janak Raj who was Doctor turned Legislator and remained HOD of IGMC Shimla said that he is having calls from the people that Government is not releasing funds for above scheme and pay for the supply of essential medicines in the health institution which he demanded to restore. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu however defended him take veiled defense that he is not order to stop expenditure on medicine, Himcare and Ayushman schemes. He said that Centre owes the responsibility to funds Rs 45 Core national flagship Ayushman scheme which need intervention from the center. The strong arguments also expected to be raised during the debate from all the members from treasury and opposition benches but it was missing. The debate in nutshell become victims of pushing blames  on either side. The walkout during the division on motion was merely ritualistic.