Congress’s no confidence motion defeated with voice vote

Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday rejected the no- confidence motion brought by opposition congress amidst uproarious scenes rejected with a voice vote.

Congress members walked after sloganeering walked out from the house. The congress members were demanding immediate registration of FIR against JP Industries.

It opposition congress members on Monday late evening stalled the proceedings of the house when chief minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal was replying to the no confidence motion moved by the congress.

Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal sought to rebut charges levelled by the congress leaders during the debate and nine hour marathon discussion over the no confidence motion, Chief Minister said that it was congress government which allowed the JP to come up in 2004 when it signed a MoU with company. He said that the company had undervalued its cement plant since the environment impact assessment was necessary in any project costing above 100 crore.

Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal said that congress had suspended an officer of pollution control department for giving permission to the plant. He said officer was suspended at later reinstated. The congress members objected to CM’s reply saying that he was explaining the High Court order. The congress members raised slogans and there was counter sloganeering from the treasury benches. Congress members walked into the well of the house raising slogans against the government. Complete pandemonium prevailed when the ruling members walked near the well to counter the slogans.

Chaos prevailed for more than half an hour. Speaker Tulsi Ram repeatedly asked the ruling and the opposition members to return to the seats.

Meanwhile, Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in his reply said that Virbhadra Singh himself had moved to the court on the controversial CD that was released in Dharamsala by former Tourism Minister, Vijay Singh Mankotia. He said that his government had no role in registration of case against Virbhadra Singh.

Dhumal questioned the congress move to bring no confidence. He highlighted achievements of the government stating that it was his government that raised social security pension.

He said his government has distributed laptops to the meritorious students and was Congress opposed to that. He asked the congress that was the opposition party opposed to the free ambulance services or in increase in the financial help under Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojna.

He said the government has announced Rs 31000 as cash award to students from Himachal who will be selected to the IIMs or IIT.

“Is congress opposed to this?” Dhumal.