Glowing tributes were paid to Late Finance, excise and parliamentary affairs minister Prakash Pant at a special session of Uttarakhand assembly on Monday. As soon as the proceedings of the house started on the day, the officiating parliamentary affairs minister Madan Kaushik proposed that the question hour be suspended and condolence motion on unfortunate demise of Prakash Pant be taken. The proposal was passed by the assembly by a unanimous vote. Starting the motion, the chief minister and leader of the house, Trivendra Singh Rawat remembered Pant as a politician who had interests in social service and literature. He said that he was elected as speaker of interim assembly of Uttarakhand at a very young age when the state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. He said that proving the sceptics wrong, Pant set very high standards as a Speaker with his in-depth knowledge of parliamentary proceedings and dedication. The CM also fondly remembered the Late Minister for his excellent man management skills. “ I used to refer many issues like employee agitation to Pant ji for handling and he with his cool approach used to solve complex situations,’’ he remembered. The CM got emotional during his address and said that his absence would always be felt.
In her address, the leader of opposition, Indira Hridayesh expressed deep sorrow on untimely death of Pant. She said he with his knowledge and hard work impressed her when he was elected for the first time in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council. Hridayesh said that having knowledge is one thing and presenting it in humble manner is another thing and Pant had the unique quality of combining knowledge with humbleness.
The officiating parliamentary affairs minister, Madan Kaushik said that when Pant lost the assembly election of 2012, he felt no remorse and said that now he would work to strengthen the party. Kaushik said that the assembly members cutting across party lines used to consult him on the finer points of parliamentary proceedings. The tourism and culture Minister, Satpal Maharaj remembered Pant as having an encyclopaedic knowledge. Maharaj said that when he attended recent meeting of GST council in place of Pant (when he was ill), finance minsters of many states inquired about his health.
Senior BJP leader, Munna Singh Chauhan said that Pant with his unique style, in depth knowledge and simplicity set up very high standards. He accepted that he used to get jealous of the flawless language and control Pant used to have over his speech. “He had no hypocrisy and was an inquisitive learner’’ he quipped.
Demands to place a statue of Pant in assembly and name the Pithoragarh airport after him was raised by the members. The and Cabinet ministers Yashpal Arya, Harak Singh Rawat, minister of states Dhan Singh Rawat and Rekha Arya, senior leaders like Harbans Kapur, Pritam Singh Panwar and others also paid rich tributes to the late leader. After the condolence motion, the speaker Prem Chand Agarwal suspended the assembly for the day.
