The three-day Haryana assembly session that begins in Chandigarh on Monday is set to be a stormy affair with opposition INLD and Congress geared up to take on the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government on a range of issues. Here are five that are likely to dominate proceedings.
1) Law and order after Dera violence: This is the first session since August 25 when Dera Sacha Sauda followers ran riot in Panchkula and Sirsa districts after the conviction of their chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for raping two sadhvis (woman followers). Forty-two sect followers lost their lives in the clash with security personnel as they attacked public and private property in a crisis that was allowed to build up in the run-up to the conviction.
2) Scrapping Dadupur-Nalvi project: The Congress is pulling out all stops to oppose the state cabinet’s recent decision to shelve the canal project over land compensation after Rs 300 crore has already been spent on it. The INLD has also submitted a memorandum to the governor, demanding a reversal of the decision that will hit farmers of northern Haryana’s Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra and Ambala districts.
3) Panchkula hydel row: The controversy over the selection of project developers for eight mini hydel plants in Panchkula has generated a controversy. The opposition Congress and INLD plan to rake up this issue during the session.
{{/usCountry}}3) Panchkula hydel row: The controversy over the selection of project developers for eight mini hydel plants in Panchkula has generated a controversy. The opposition Congress and INLD plan to rake up this issue during the session.
{{/usCountry}}4) Procurement pangs: Farmers in the state have complained of problems in the procurement of bajra. Farmers growing the PR variety of paddy are also finding it difficult to sell the produce. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda says the Congress will move an adjournment motion in the House on the plight of farmers.
5) Murthal taking a toll: With the coming up of the new toll plaza at Murthal, the ride between Chandigarh and Delhi by car has gone up by Rs 65. Earlier commuters travelling by car between the two capital cities had to pay at three toll plazas – Rs 30 for using the elevated highway in Panipat, Rs 115 in Bastada (Gharaunda) in Karnal district, and Rs 35 at Dappar after entering Punjab. The total used to Rs 180 but now it costs Rs 245 one way. The Congress plans a calling attention motion on this issue.