NEW DELHI: The Government suffered a crush­i­ng defeat in the Assembly today [Feb 20] when the House carried a cut motion moved by Sir Mohammad Yamin Khan by 58 votes to 46. The motion sought to refuse the grant of Rs. 82 lacks to the Railway Board to run motor lorries on roads.

The Congress and the Hindu Nationalist Parties supported the Muslim League. Nawa­bzada Liaquat Ali Khan, Dr. Zia-ud-Din, and Nawab Siddiq Ali Khan took part in the debate from the Muslim League Benches.

Later the House discussed another cut motion of the Muslim League Party moved by Maulvi Abdul Ghani on the paucity of Muslims in railway services. On the assurance of the Railway Member that he would take personal interest in the matter, the motion was withdrawn.

Earlier, the President ruled out of order Mr. Hussainbhai Lalji’s adjournment motion who wanted to discuss the order of the Ahmedabad District Magistrate imposing restrictions on the sale of matches manufactured by any other company except Wimco, a Swedish concern. Sir Azizul Haque, Commerce Member, said that no such order was issued by the Central Government.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2020