Monsoon Session Adjourned Without Addressing Dharali Disaster Despite Government Assurance

The Uttarakhand Monsoon session was adjourned without discussing the Dharali disaster, despite prior assurances from the government. Congress leaders have resigned from the assembly's Business Advisory Committee in protest.

Yashpal Arya, the Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly, expressed disappointment over the abrupt adjournment of the Monsoon session. The government had promised during a Business Advisory Committee meeting that the Dharali disaster would be discussed on Wednesday. Arya and Congress MLA Pritam Singh have resigned from the assembly's Business Advisory Committee, submitting their resignations to Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan.

The Monsoon session concluded prematurely, lasting only one and a half days, as it was adjourned sine die before lunch on Wednesday. Congress MLAs have been protesting against alleged rigging in state panchayat elections and deteriorating law and order. They even staged an overnight protest inside the House. The Congress accused the ruling BJP of using money and muscle power and misusing government machinery during recent panchayat elections.

Session Adjournment and Allegations

Arya refuted BJP's claims that Congress disruptions led to the session's end. He stated that a Business Advisory Committee meeting on Monday evening set Tuesday's agenda. A follow-up meeting was planned for Tuesday to discuss issues like the Dharali disaster on Wednesday. However, no meeting occurred on August 19, leading Arya to allege that the government intended to cut the session short.

Pushkar Singh Dhami criticised Congress legislators for their repeated disruptions during the Monsoon session. He claimed these interruptions prevented discussions on the Dharali disaster, which resulted in several fatalities. Arya countered by highlighting that they sought a discussion on alleged election rigging, but the government cited sub judice status as a reason for not addressing it.

Dharali Disaster Impact

Arya criticised the state government's handling of flood-affected people in Dharali, Uttarkashi. A flash flood in the Kheer Ganga river on August 5 devastated nearly half of Dharali, a key stopover en route to Gangotri. Many hotels and homestays were destroyed, and an Army camp in neighbouring Harsil suffered significant damage.

The disaster left 69 people missing, including nine Army personnel, 25 Nepali nationals, 13 from Bihar, six from Uttar Pradesh, eight from Dharali, five from areas near Uttarkashi, two from Tehri, and one from Rajasthan. The Uttarakhand High Court is currently hearing a petition related to these events.

Arya emphasised that despite assurances from the government, conditions for those affected by floods and landslides remain unchanged. The Congress continues to demand discussions on these pressing issues while criticising the government's response.

With inputs from PTI