The Haryana government on Monday tabled in the state assembly a Bill seeking recovery of damage to public properties from rioters, triggering a walkout by the Opposition Congress on the refusal of their demand for a division on the Bill. Haryana’s Home and Urban Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij tabled the Haryana Recovery of Damage to Property during Disturbance to Public Order Bill, 2021 in the House this evening.

It will be taken up for discussion and passage later during the ongoing budget session of the assembly. Soon after the Bill was introduced, senior Congress member R S Kadian questioned the timing of bringing in the bill, saying it will send a wrong signal amid the ongoing farmers’ agitation.

Vij, however, said some members were trying to mislead the House. Former Chief Minister B S Hooda, who is the Leader of the Opposition, said the state authorities had dug up roads to prevent farmers from reaching the national capital and wondered who will be held responsible in this case for damage to public property.

Congress MLA B B Batra sought division on the Bill and was supported by other members of his party, but Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said the Bill has been introduced and there was no provision of division at this stage. Which rule provides for the division of voting at this stage? Speaker Gupta asked the Congress legislators.

Making an intervention, Minister Vij asked Congress members to clarify whether they were in support of rioters, destruction of public and private properties, burning of buses and, if not, why were they opposing the Bill then.” Speaker asked the Congress members why they were running away from a discussion. At this, Hooda asserted, Asking for the division is our right.

Then pointing towards the treasury benches, Hooda said, We will not allow you to run road roller (and not let the opposition have its say). The Bill provides for recovery of damage to properties caused by people during disturbance to public order by an assembly, lawful or unlawful, including riots and violent disorder.

It also provides for the setting up of a Claims Tribunal to assess the damages caused and to determine the liability to award the compensation in Haryana. The Collector shall have the power to issue an order of attachment of property or bank account of any person against whom an award has been passed by the Claims Tribunal to pay compensation.

The Bill provides that such property or bank account shall remain attached till the person makes the payment of the amount due.