Garhwal Post Bureau
GAIRSAIN, 11 Mar: During the Question Hour in the House during the ongoing Budget session of the State Assembly, several important questions were raised related to the departments headed by Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya. During the discussion, Rekha Arya also informed the House that a Sports University will soon be established in Haldwani. She claimed that the State government has made provisions for the project in the upcoming budget and the necessary procedures for its construction are being completed. According to the minister, the Haldwani stadium will also be brought under the administration of the proposed Sports University.
It may be noted here that Rekha Arya holds key portfolios including Women Empowerment and Child Development, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, and Sports and Youth Welfare. During Question Hour, several questions pertaining to these departments were raised in the Assembly.
Congress MLA Qazi Nizamuddin raised a very pertinent question to the Food minister regarding BPL and APL ration cards. The Congress legislator said that ration cards are not being issued in many cases, due to which Ayushman cards are also not being made. In response, the minister clarified that there is no direct connection between ration cards and Ayushman cards. She said that the problem generally arises at the time of division of families. Qazi Nizamuddin remarked that this is a policy-related issue affecting the entire state. The first starred question was asked by Congress MLA Lakhpat Butola regarding the expansion of the Semaldala ground at Pipalkoti in the Dasholi area of Chamoli district. Responding to the query, Rekha Arya said that at present no proposal regarding the expansion of the ground is under consideration.
Following this, BJP MLA Suresh Gadia raised the issue of providing government jobs to athletes who have won medals in the National Games. Doiwala MLA Brij Bhushan Gairola then sought clarification from the Government regarding the lower-than-target registration under the Matru Vandana Yojana. In her reply, Rekha Arya said that several practical difficulties were being faced due to the parameters of the National Health Survey and the specific eligibility norms laid down for the scheme.
BJP MLA Mahesh Jeena also raised questions regarding the eligibility criteria for APL and BPL ration cards. Discussions were also held on matters related to the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, particularly regarding the construction of mini stadiums and sports grounds. During the discussion, the Chief Minister intervened and informed the House that provisions have been made in the state budget to establish a mini stadium in every block.
Earlier, last night, the Assembly had witnessed a prolonged debate under Rule 58 on the issue of law and order in the State. The Opposition had targeted the Government over incidents of murder in the State, including the Ankita murder case and other related developments. Replying to the debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Subodh Uniyal stated that prompt action had been taken in all such cases and that the rate of redressal of complaints had also increased.
The session also saw political reactions over remarks made by Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj regarding alternative uses of the Assembly building. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya strongly objected to the suggestion, stating that the Gairsain Assembly is not merely a building but a symbol of the statehood movement and the emotions of the people. He said that the idea of using the Assembly complex for weddings or corporate events was against the identity and dignity of the state.
Congress MLA Bhuvan Kapri also raised concerns over the law & order situation in the state and alleged that in the Khatima area land mafia had encroached upon nearly 125 acres of farmland belonging to a farmer. He claimed that with the help of the police the standing crop in the field had been ploughed using a tractor without number plates. According to him, the government had not yet provided a clear response on the matter. In addition, Congress MLA Engineer Ravi Bahadur alleged corruption in police stations and outposts, while MLA Furkan Ahmad accused the government of unnecessarily fuelling religious issues. He also raised the Mohammad Deepak case in Kotdwar and matters related to school construction in the region.
