Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 5: Speaker Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul today called upon the former legislators to continue to work for public good and use their experience and wisdom for curbing the evils in the society.
Interacting with the members of Welfare Forum of ex- Legislators, who called on him here today to discuss their issues, the Speaker said that the ex-legislators form a respectable section of the society and they can play a pivotal role in highlighting the important public interest issues and needs of the people at appropriate forums.
He called upon them to use their experience and wisdom to raise the issues of public good and contribute towards curbing the evils in the society.
He assured that their role could not be undermined by any person, adding that they deserve full honour both in public and in the Government. He also invited them to attend the proceedings during the upcoming Assembly session.
Responding to the demands raised by the ex- legislators, the Speaker directed the Law Department to consult the Revenue Department to identify the land at Srinagar and Jammu for construction of residential houses for the Ex-Legislators. He said that he would take up the issue with the Government for an early decision.
Earlier, the Welfare Forum of Ex-Legislators projected their demands including enhancement in medical allowances, adequate security, provision for issuance of fuel, release of pension arrears with retrospective effect, allotment of plots, mediclaim insurance scheme on the pattern of gazetted employees, entitlement to accommodation in guest houses outside the State, particularly in Delhi and Chandigarh, new vehicles and enhancement in monthly family pension scheme.
The Speaker gave a patient hearing and assured them that all their genuine demands will be looked into.
With regard to security issue, the Speaker asked the Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD) to take up the matter with the Home Department for preparing a list of all ex-legislators who have been provided security and submit the same to the Assembly Secretariat for perusal of the Speaker. He also asked them to ensure equal deployment of security personal to each ex-legislator.
The Speaker also asked the Law Department to bring a detailed note with regard to Medical Allowances given to ex-legislators in other States and submit it to the Assembly Secretariat for scrutiny.
Responding to the issue of maintaining protocol of ex-members at official functions especially on national events, Mr. Gul directed the Secretary GAD to issue directions to all Deputy Commissioners for extending special invitations to the members of the Forum.
Earlier, Chairman of Welfare Forum, Qazi Jalal-u-Din highlighted the demands of ex- legislators.
Later, ex-MLA Ghulam Hassan Khan presented vote of thanks.
Secretary, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Secretary Legislative Assembly M. Ramzan, Secretary, GAD Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari besides Vice Chairman, Forum Ram Paul, Ex- Legislators including Abdul Rehman Takroo, Mohammad Syeed Akhoon, Gh. Hyder Malik, Sagar Chand, Sheikh Mohammad Rafi, Bharat Gandhi, Nassullah, Mohammad Khalil, Bushan Lal Bhat, Gul Rafiqi, A. R. Dar, Mohammad Farooq Mir, Thakur Randir Singh, Akhtar Nizami, Lal Mohammad Sabar, Abdul San, Gh. Mohammad Khan, Gulam Raza, Haji Mohammad Sultan, Mohammad Akhlaq Khan and Mohammad Iqbal Bhat were present on the occasion.
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