Shimla: Amidst the strong opposition from Indian National Congress, the state government has withdrawn the pending Himachal Pradesh Sports (Registration, Recognition and Regulation of Associations) Bill, 2015. The bill was passed by the Virbhadra Singh led state government in the state assembly in 2015, and was since then pending for the approval of the governor for nearly three years.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Gobind Thakur moved the motion for withdrawal of the Bill, Congress legislatures opposed the motion and raised slogans against the government and later staged walkout from the house.
Before the start of the business for the day, Congress Legislature Ram Lal Thakur demanded immediate discussion under Rule 62 on the move to withdraw the Bill. However, the consent of discussion was listed for Wednesday.
The Speaker denied the plea of discussion and said the issue would be taken up after Question Hour and the Opposition could give a notice under Rule 176 to lodge its protest. However, the opposition Congress remained adamant on holding of a debate.
The Opposition continued with its protest, while the Sports Minister withdrew the Bill. The opposition pleaded that the prime land was given to the HPCA which later converted the society into a company and the withdrawal of the Bill will prove to be disastrous for the sporting community, opposition leader further raised concern.
Congress legislature Vikramaditya Singh said the previous government passed the bill to bring transparency and ensure democratic functioning in all 42 sports associations in the state as per the recommendations of the Lodha Committee. He blamed the government for benefiting particular sports body.
Ram Lal Thakur pleaded that “If this bill is dropped as you have put this in the august House, this will be disastrous for Himachal sports.”
Asha Kumari also protested against withdrawn of the bill and advised the government not to exhibit haste in withdrawing such important bill. She said that Governor has not returned the Bill, neither he has accorded his assent nor dissented the bill and raised question why the state government is withdrawing the bill.
Meanwhile former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has raised question over the functioning of Governor. Singh, while speaking to the media after staging walk out from the house, said that Governor didn’t given assent to the bill only because of his association with particular ideology and blamed him for not performing his duty properly. Singh said that withdrawn of the bill is illegal and unconstitutional
