Congress walks out over bus fare hike

Shimla, Mar 4 (UNI) The Budget Session of Hiamchal Assembly today started with the opposition Congress staged walkout on the issue of 25 per cent hike in bus fares in the state by the BJP government.

Immediately as the Question Hour concluded, leader of opposition Vidya Stokes was on her legs, as she inquired about the fate of notice on adjournment motion submitted by Congress members, seeking discussion on bus fare hike.

On this Speaker Tulsi Ram said the adjournment motion could not be allowed today as the notice for adjournment motion was not given on time. He said as per rules, the notice should reach his office one hour before the start of session.

Former Congress minister Kaul Singh Thakur said, "The government should not shy away from discussion on the issue, as the bus fare hike has directly affected the common man." The opposition party kept insisting to have discussion on the issue immediately, and later, staged a walkout.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal criticised the opposition party for the walkout. "Everybody is concerned about the rising prices in the country as such, but the seriousness of Congress members could be gauged from the fact that they could not even submit the notice on time." "The government is prepared for discussion on the issue of bus fares and will give information based on facts and figures in the House, " Mr Dhumal said UNI XC PS MMS1848