It’s akin to murder of democracy: Hooda

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 18

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda today termed the passing of the Haryana Recovery of Damages to Property During Disturbance to Public Order Bill, 2021 as murder of democracy.

Hooda told mediapersons after the Budget session that, "It will lead to the misuse of government agencies. It does not conform to the law laid down by the Supreme Court. The government wants to put people in fear".

"The Home Minister (Anil Vij) says that Haryana farmers have not damaged even a needle, then why cases have been filed against them," he said. "Maintaining law and order is the duty of the government. Under Section 5 of the Bill, the protesters would have to bear the cost of paramilitary or police force called from outside the state," he added.

Hooda said that before filing an appeal, an aggrieved person have to deposit 20 per cent of the compensation amount. "Now, with this Bill, honest and peaceful protesters will have to pay," he added.

He condemned the rejection of Congress' private member Bill on the minimum support price (MSP) guarantee. He said that over 54 per cent of the expenditure of the government would go in the payment of loans and installments and 40 per cent in the payment of salary and pensions. "They have just 5 per cent to spend. What will they do? The share of the Budget in agriculture and education has been reduced," he said.

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