Industrial growth row triggers noisy scenes, BJP walkout in Himachal Assembly
Shimla, Aug 26,
The seventh day of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s Monsoon Session turned turbulent on Tuesday, as the Opposition BJP staged a walkout over what it termed the government’s “evasive and incomplete” reply on the state of industry and employment.
The flashpoint emerged during Question Hour when BJP MLA Bikram Thakur sought a detailed account of new industries established in the past three years, those that had shut down, and the corresponding employment generated. Dissatisfied with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s response, Thakur accused the Congress government of extorting industries, particularly in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh belt, and claimed rampant corruption had forced many units to migrate out of Himachal.
“Unemployment is soaring because industries are leaving the state,” Thakur told reporters outside the Assembly, questioning why the Sukhu-led government had failed to introduce corrective measures if it believed the previous BJP regime had erred.
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur backed the charge, alleging that industries had steadily withdrawn since Congress came to power. “Even the minister was confused in his reply. The government is failing both industries and the youth of Himachal,” he said.
Inside the House, heated exchanges broke out between the treasury and opposition benches, prompting Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to intervene. Later, the Speaker ordered the expunging of certain remarks from both sides, ruling them unparliamentary. He firmly asserted his authority, making it clear that under the revised system, statements and questions would only become part of the official record once scrutinized by the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat.
“As guardian of the House, I will not allow unsubstantiated claims to form part of the proceedings,” Pathania declared, rejecting the Chief Minister’s request to retain some remarks from ruling members.
With questions mounting over investment outflow, employment loss, and governance accountability, the tussle between the ruling Congress and the BJP continues to remain intense.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
