Jaipur: Lean house irks MLAs who want answers on state budget

During a debate in the state budget, the sparsely-occupied assembly made many of its members wonder whether the elected representatives were sincere towards house proceedings. 

The eigth day of the budget session was marked by instances where members were told to respect house traditions, issues of absentism got pointed out and the assembly proceedings were compared to a football match. Deputy Speaker Rao Rajendra Singh issued warning that the chair would suspend members who act in contempt of the house. 

The ‘order’ in the house was maintained by BJP MLA Prahlad Gunjal in the begining of his statement on the budget. He recalled the scene of the assembly a day earlier. “There were a mere 28 members present at the assembly during budget debate yesterday. It is an important occasion. Budget comes once a year and the disinterest of members is disappointing,” said Gunjal. Senior BJP MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was interrupted by home minister Gulab Chand Kataria, compared the discussion to a football match. Jamidara Party MLA Sonadevi was disappointed as the demands on her area were overlooked. She even offered to surrender her membership.

Action sought 

The house took cognizance on the delay in tabling the annual report by a state university. As Mohanlal Sukhadia University’s annual report for 2015-16 was tabled on Thursday, Deputy Speaker inquired from higher education minister Kiran Maheswari about the varsity’s recent reports. Maheswari was asked to take action against officials for delay in presenting the varsity’s reports.