PNS/ DEHRADUN
The address of the Governor Lt Gen (Rtd) Gurmit Singh with which commenced the Budget session of the Assembly was marked by interruption with the Congress legislators demanding extension of the session. The Governor mentioned the enforcement of the Uniform Civil Code in the State, making Uttarakhand the first one in the country, ending gender inequality in marriage and property rights. Aside from the Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the Parliamentary Affairs minister Prem Chandra Aggarwal was present. Besides the UCC, the Governor raised several developmental projects rolled out by the State government.
While the Governor was reading his address the Congress MLAs led by the leader of the opposition Yashpal Arya trooped into the well of the House demanding extension of the session. Amidst the din, the Congress MLA Madan Bisht was heard arguing shrilly with the Parliamentary Affairs minister Aggarwal.
Significantly, the MLA from Lansdowne Dalip Singh attended the session on the day of its commencement. Notably, he had skipped the last session, citing the increasing human-animal conflict. He said that he had met the chief minister on the issue and he along with Aggarwal had assured him of a discussion on the issue for three to four hours during this session. He warned that in case the assurance was not acted upon he would stay away from the rest of the session.
