Noisy scenes in Raj Assy over imprisonment of 2 MLAs

Jaipur, Jul 16 (UNI) Noisy scenes intermittently marred the proceedings in Rajasthan Assembly today as the Opposition protested against "non-compliance" of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's announcement for upgradation of schools and "undue" imprisonment of two MLAs.

The proceedings of Question Hour began smoothly for the first time in this session since July 14 but uproarious scenes during a question about upgradation of schools as a number of members stood up to speak simultaneously raising their grievances through supplimentaries.

While most of the members were expressing their dissatisfaction over slow implementation and/or non-compliance of Chief Minister's announcements for upgradation and strengthening of infrastructure in the schools some were demanding opening of schools in their respective constituencies.

The members were so dissatisfied over the state of affairs that the issue took over 40 minutes and Speaker Sumitra Singh had to caution members several times to maintain order in the House.

Education Minister Kali Charan Saraf tried to pacify the members saying that administrative sanction for upgradtion of 3108 middle schools up to higher secondary level had been issued.

However, the members said it was required to be coupled with financial sanction.

The Minister replied that this was also being done and financial sanction for some of the schools had been released two days ago.

Noisy scenes marred the Zero Hour for about two hours over the issue of arrest of two MLAs.

Expelled BJP Member Prahlad Gunjal raised the issue through rejected adjournment motion. He protested his and fellow MLA Attar Singh Bhadana's "undue" imprisonment for 34 days under section 107 and 151 during the Gujjar agitation.

Mr Gunjal said that he along with Mr Bhadana was nabbed by Amer Police on May 23 and they were "unduly" jailed for 34 days by the government with political bias.

He said that their imprisonment was in violation of the status and privilege of member of this house and the Speaker should provide them protection and do needful to restore their pride as members of House.

Several Congress members and Independents also defended Mr Gunjal and protested imprisonment of MLAs for such a long period.

The members said the Chair should reprimend the state government for the act.

However, Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria justified their arrest, saying they were nabbed to prevent them from proceeding to Pillukapura where Gujjars were holding dharna on rail tracks.

Home Minister said the members were allowed to seek release on perosnal bond and surety of Rs 1.5 lakh each, however, they failed to submit the same and opted themselves to be in jail.

But Mr Gunjal and Mr Bhadana contradicted said the Minister was misleading the House and the fact was that the authorities had tried all means and tactics to keep them behind the bars for maximum possible time.

They demanded the constitution of a house committee to probe their "undue" detention. Leader of the Opposition Hemaram Chauhdary and senior Members like CP Joshi and Pradyuman Singh(both Congress) supported the demand.

However, the Mr Kataria rejected their demand and held that he was speaking on record and if the members felt that he was misleading them, they should initiate breach of previlege motion agianst him. He was ready to face the consequences, he said.

Deputy Speaker Ram Narain Vishnoi also rejected the members' demand saying that no probe was needed.

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