New Delhi: On Thursday, the fourth day of the assembly session, the issue of state agitators echoed in the House. There was a heated argument between Leader of Opposition Pritam Singh and Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Banshidhar Bhagat on this issue. The Leader of Opposition was furious when the minister questioned the role of Congress in the state agitation. On the other hand, in response, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Banshidhar Bhagat said that the reservation bill for the agitators is pending in the Raj Bhavan. Steps will be taken on this as soon as the approval of Raj Bhavan is received. It is also being considered to give benefits to the dependents of the agitators.
Leader of Opposition Pritam Singh raised the issue of state agitators during the discussion on adjournment of business in the House on Thursday. He said that the state of Uttarakhand came into existence due to the struggle and martyrdom of the agitators. The agitators are agitating for various demands. Till now, despite the governments of both parties, the agitators are forced to struggle on the streets. In Muzaffarnagar, the culprits of Rampur, Mussoorie and Khatima incident should be strongly advocated for punishment in the court. He also advocated for 10 percent reservation in government jobs for the agitators.
Banshidhar Bhagat took a jibe at Congress
Pritam Singh said that considering giving equal pension to them by abolishing different pension classification, re-starting the marking of the agitators, giving pension to their dependents also. They should be effectively argued in the Supreme Court for horizontal reservation in recruitment to Group-C posts. In response, Cabinet Minister Banshidhar Bhagat took a dig at the Congress for raising the issue of the state agitators.
Congress doesn’t need a certificate: Pritam
He said that BJP members have actively participated in the movement. The agitators are from our community. The party played a role in creating a separate Uttarakhand state. The Leader of Opposition got angry when the minister mentioned one of his remarks regarding state formation without naming former Chief Minister Late ND Tiwari. An agitated Pritam said that Congress does not need certificates about those who participated in the state agitation.
(With agency inputs)
