The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: In what appears to be an impending clash between the two, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has denied approval for two bills passed by the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government during its first budget session.
The bills, the Chief Minister’s Sukhashraya Bill, 2023, and the Loktantra Prahari Samman Bill, 2023, were passed by voice vote in the budget session and subsequently sent to the Governor for approval.
The Governor has returned the bill related to the Chief Minister’s Sukhashraya Yojana to the state government, raising objections. The officials of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department discussed the Governor’s concerns and have sent the bill to the Law Department for further examination and legal opinion.
Once the Law Department provides its opinion and after discussing it with the Chief Minister, the bill will be resubmitted to the Governor. The bill envisages giving legal form to the Mukhyamantri Sukhashray Yojana, which aims to provide support to destitute and needy children, granting them the status of children of the state and ensuring the government bears the expenses of their education and upbringing.
During discussions in the Assembly on these bills, opposition BJP MLAs staged a walkout, expressing their discontent. The Loktantra Prahari Yojana, in particular, drew criticism from the BJP whose MLAs accused the Sukhu government of insulting people. Chief Minister Sukhu responded by reminding the BJP of their own history when Shanta Kumar and Prem Kumar Dhumal were Chief Ministers. The Governor has sought a clarification from the Sukhu government on certain points regarding the bills.
