Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 24 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Monday accused the BJP-led Opposition of deliberately disrupting the ongoing Monsoon Session of the state Assembly and alleged that the party was working against the financial interests of Himachal Pradesh by seeking to block funds from the Centre.
Speaking on the third day of the Assembly's Monsoon Session, Agnihotri said the Congress government wanted the House to function and repeatedly appealed to the Opposition to allow legislative business to proceed.
"The Opposition is not in favour of running the House. Even today, they have come with the mindset that the House should not function, whereas our Parliamentary Affairs Minister has repeatedly requested them and said that we want to run the House," Agnihotri said.
He alleged that the BJP was attempting to divert public attention from issues such as inflation and the financial difficulties facing the state.
Agnihotri accused the BJP of going to Delhi and seeking measures that, according to him, would financially weaken Himachal Pradesh.
"The BJP, which is the Opposition, is working against the interests of Himachal Pradesh at this time. The rights that Himachal should receive are being stopped by them by going to Delhi," he alleged.
Referring to the Centre's announcement of a Rs 1,500-crore package for Himachal Pradesh, Agnihotri claimed that efforts were being made to prevent the money from reaching the state.
He also raised the issue of the Revenue Deficit Grant, claiming that its discontinuation was causing Himachal Pradesh an annual loss of around Rs 10,000 crore and could result in a cumulative loss of about Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years.
Agnihotri further said the withdrawal of GST compensation had also adversely affected the state's finances.
He alleged that Himachal had also suffered financially in connection with the Old Pension Scheme implemented for state government employees.
Agnihotri said the Congress government was pursuing the state's financial claims through constitutional and legal avenues.
"Our fight is for the rights of Himachal. We are fighting for Himachal," he said.
He referred to the state's long-pending claim under the Punjab Reorganisation Act and said the matter before the Supreme Court had reached a decisive stage.
"The case concerning Himachal's 7.2 per cent share under the Punjab Reorganisation Act has reached a decisive stage, and a decision is expected in the next 10 to 15 days," he said.
Agnihotri also claimed that the state government had succeeded in securing several long-pending financial claims through its legal and political efforts, saying that the money would ultimately benefit Himachal Pradesh.
The Deputy Chief Minister also attacked the Centre over rising prices, alleging that inflation had reached alarming levels.
He said issues such as the prices of essential commodities, petrol, diesel, onions and other household items had added to the burden on ordinary people.
"Inflation has become a very big issue. The entire country is seeing that because of the policies of the Central Government, inflation has reached its peak," Agnihotri said.
He alleged that the Opposition was attempting to divert attention from these issues by disrupting the Assembly.
Agnihotri also addressed the controversy surrounding the National Anthem and Vande Mataram in the Assembly.
He said the Constitution accorded special significance to the National Flag, the Constitution and the National Anthem, and argued that the Assembly Speaker had the authority to determine the conduct of proceedings inside the House.
He said that while Parliament could enact laws concerning respect for national symbols, the proceedings of the state Assembly were governed by the Constitution and the rules and authority of the House.
Agnihotri questioned the Opposition's objection after the National Anthem was sung in the Assembly, saying that the BJP was now raising the issue of Vande Mataram while also creating a controversy around the National Anthem.
He said provisions concerning disrespect to national symbols were already part of the legal framework and stressed that the Assembly should function according to constitutional provisions and the decisions of the Speaker.
Agnihotri also accused the BJP of having attempted "Operation Lotus" in Himachal Pradesh but failing to dislodge the Congress government.
"Operation Lotus was attempted in Himachal Pradesh, but it failed. Our government is still in place," he said.
He described the Opposition as "frustrated and directionless" and claimed that the BJP was divided and struggling to find an issue with which to challenge the government.
Agnihotri said the Congress government was ready to debate all major issues concerning Himachal Pradesh and wanted the Assembly to function.
"We want the House to run. Through you, we want to tell the people of Himachal that we want the House to function, but they do not want the House to run. They want to disrupt it," he said.
He maintained that the Opposition was seeking to avoid debates on inflation, the state's financial rights and other issues affecting Himachal Pradesh.
"We want the House to function because we want to discuss the issues facing Himachal Pradesh. We are fighting for the rights of the state," Agnihotri said. (ANI)
Dy CM Agnihotri accuses BJP of blocking Himachal's funds, diverting attention from inflation
