Opposition stages walk out from Punjab Assembly

Chandigarh, June 20 (UNI) The opposition Congress members staged a walkout from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha immediately after the Question Hour today when Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon disallowed them to raise certain issues, including the law and order, before the scheduled presentation of the budget for 2007-08 in the House.

Citing rules for conduct of the business in the Vidhan Sabha, the Speaker did not allow Leader of the Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal to raise the issues and seek discussion on them as the budget was scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Manpret Singh Badal.

As soon as the Speaker asked the Finance Minister to present the budget proposals, Congress member Lal Singh rose on his feet and wanted discussion on certain important issues concerning the state before the presentation of the budget.

However, the Speaker asked Mr Badal to read out his budget speech.

At this, Mrs Bhattal also rose on her feet and was joined by other Congress members who trooped into the well of the House, raising anti-government slogans.

At this point, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal intervened and assured the Leader of the Opposition that all issues which the opposition wanted raise would be discussed after the budget was presented in the House.

However, this assurance from the Chief Minister did not pacify the opposition members who then walked out from the House.

A number of Congress members, including Mrs Bhattal wore 'aprons' over their respective dresses, on which were written anti government slogans and demands for halting police repression against Congress workers and dalits. A few of the slogans castigated the government for failing to implemented the cheap 'atta dal' (wheat flour and pulses) scheme.

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