By IANS
Jaipur : The budget session of the Rajasthan assembly witnessed a stormy start Monday with the opposition Congress boycotting the governor’s address.
The Congress objected to the appointment of six parliamentary secretaries by the BJP government and dubbed it against the Constitution.
“Only 15 percent of the total strength of the assembly can become ministers and the Vasundhara Raje government has surpassed the figure by appointing six parliamentary secretaries, which is unconstitutional,” Hema Ram Chaudhary, leader of opposition, said.
In a 200-member house, the Vasundhara Raje government has 17 cabinet ministers, 11 state ministers and six parliamentary secretaries.
The Congress also demanded a bigger relief package for the frost-affected farmers.
“The farmers have suffered heavily because of the long spell of cold wave and frost and the package of Rs.1.26 billion announced by the state government Saturday is inadequate,” Chaudhary added.
Governor S.K. Singh, after reading the first few lines and some lines from the last page of his address, requested the house that the address be deemed read.
There was considerable din in the house and nothing from the governor’s speech could be heard as the Congress members raised anti-government slogans. Then they walked out of the house.
The governor in his address highlighted the achievements of the state government. He spoke about various steps being taken to improve the economy of the state.
“Steps are being taken to relax policies so that a business friendly environment is created in the state,” Singh said. He said Jaipur ranks third among Indian cities in a World Bank report on “Doing Business in South Asia 2007”.