New Delhi, March 12 (IANS). Shiv Sena UBT’s Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi cornered the central government on many important issues. He raised questions about the proposed impeachment against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the situation in West Asia, the gas crisis, Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement and the role of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Priyanka Chaturvedi told IANS that many serious questions are being raised regarding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Doubts are constantly being raised on issues related to the election process, EVMs and voter lists.
He said, “Many questions are being raised about Gyanesh Kumar, be it the election process, the EVM issue or the reduction in voter lists under SIR. The way names are being removed from the voter list and especially in areas where the opposition is strong, this is not just a fight in West Bengal. This is a fight for the rights of voters in the entire country.”
He said that a constitutional institution like the Election Commission should be completely independent and free from any kind of influence. Responding to the central government regarding the ongoing tension in West Asia, Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the government’s preparation appears weak. As soon as the initial signs of crisis were seen, LPG prices were increased in the country and steps like Essential Commodities Act were taken to control the gas.
He said, “In the very first week, LPG prices were increased and laws were implemented to control gas. Now an environment like gas rationing has been created in the country, where a distinction is being made between domestic and commercial use.” The Shiv Sena MP said that the impact of the gas crisis is clearly visible on the industries. Many manufacturing units, especially the tiles industry and other gas-dependent factories, are being affected.
Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “There are many manufacturing units which require gas, but now they have almost come to a standstill. Hotel and restaurant owners are also issuing notices that if the situation continues, they will have to close their establishments. The general public will be most affected.”
He also criticized the government on the issue of energy security and said that India is largely dependent on imports to meet its energy needs and the current crisis has shown that the country was completely unprepared for this situation.
He alleged that the influence of America’s stance on India is visible even in decisions like purchasing oil from Russia. When America takes any decision, India also takes steps in the same direction. This situation shows that there was not enough preparation regarding our energy security.
He said that the government had claimed that the country had energy reserves of about 72 days but the shortage started appearing in the very first week of the crisis.
He also raised questions on the proceedings of Parliament and the role of the Lok Sabha Speaker. Chaturvedi said that in recent years a large number of MPs were suspended and during the same period many important laws were passed. He said, “We saw that a large number of MPs were suspended and at the same time many important laws were passed, including new criminal laws. These laws were passed when the opposition was outside the House.”
He alleged that the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker is being politicized. This is not a matter of any one person but of the system in which questions are being raised on fairness.
–IANS
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