BJP, Congress stage walkout over order limiting mall timings

LUCKNOW: BJP and Congress today staged a walkout from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly over the state government order fixing opening and closing timings of malls, shops and restaurants owing to the severe power crisis.

Raising the issue through an adjournment notice during the zero hour, Satish Mahana (BJP) termed the order issued by the labour department yesterday as draconian stressing that because of sweltering heat people do not venture out in the afternoons.

Mahana said that following dismal power scenario industries are coming to a standstill and people are forced to leave the state. He stressed that the said order has warned of stern action against those flouting it.

Hukum Singh (BJP) asked as to why the government was not buying power to meet the demand and sought an assurance that no action would be taken against those flouting these orders. He also asked for extending the closure timings till 9 PM.

In his reply, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan initially termed it as a suggestion and not order but later said that the order regarding closure timings would be strictly followed.

Expressing dissatisfaction over Khan's reply, BJP and Congress later staged a walkout.

In an order yesterday, the labour department said that for the next 15 days all shops and malls in the state, excluding medical stores, will open at 11 AM and close at 7 PM and all restaurants would operate between 11 AM to 10 PM.