Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Terming the coalition between the National Conference and Congress as ‘living arrangement’, the Opposition PDP today said that this Government has used and undermined the position of Governor and credibility of the highly respected institution of the State by making false commitments and wrong statements in speeches successively made by the present incumbent.
While participating in the debate to the Governor’s address in the Upper House today, senior PDP Member Naeem Akhar said the Governor N N Vohra must be a relieved persons as he is the man of integrity and commands high respect but the present Government has been excessively making wrong statements in the address which have been delivered by Mr Vohra during last several years.
Akhtar said the present dispensation is unique, as generally Coalition Governments are called `marriages of convenience’ because they at least have Common Minimum Programme (CMP), but this Government has none and it looks more like a living relationship, rather than even marriage of convenience.
The PDP member pointed out that in 2012, this Government in the Governor’s address made a solemn pledge that it will hold the elections to Panchayat Blocks, District Councils besides Urban Local Bodies and it will be completed by April 2012 but nothing happened. He further said in 2012, in para VIII of Governor’s address the Government stated that there was a special task force recommendation for making a one time allocation in plan for the development of Jammu and Ladakh regions. Inspite of saying that it was one time arrangement, in the current year’s address the Government has kept an allocation on that, negating what the Governor said in 2012.
Akhar said the country is going through a crisis- the crisis of confidence in the political and administrative system. One of the prime reasons, he said, is that the political parties generally fail to honour their commitments and pledges. Referring to NC’s manifesto, the PDP leader said KC has been talking about autonomy, but where is that. There is mention of formation of Truth & Reconciliation Commission in NC’s 2008 election manifesto but that is no where in sight. They had talked about return of power projects, creation of sub-regional councils and Chenab and Pir Panjal regions but nothing happened.
He pointed out that this Government in the Governor’s address should have given us an over view of its achievements and if there were failures they should have been admitted. They are boasting of creating new administrative units but they have failed to create statutory bodies like Election Commission for Panchayats, which is provided in the Act and which should have been done in 2011. The ruling Government failed to create Finance Commission for Panchayats and Local Bodies and failed to create ombudsman for Rural Development Department. These things were necessary but unfortunately the highly respected person, Mr Vohra and the institution has been used to put out wrong claims and misleading information.
Earlier speaking on the Motion of Thanks to Governor’s address Congress member Jugal Kishore Sharma appreciated the achievements of the Coalition Government. He said that historic decision on creation of new administrative units and incorporation of sections of 73rd Amendment in the PR Act will certainly establish a stronger governance structure as per the aspirations of the people. He sad sanctioning of 4 Medical colleges will also improve the medicare system in the State.
Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri also lauded the achievements of the Government despite several challenges and sad last five years have seen noteworthy growth and development across the State. He said introduction of RTI Act, PSG Act, Strengthening of Account-ability Commission, Vigilance and Information Commissions and creation of new administrative units are among the major decisions of the Government that have brought transparency and accountability in the entire system.
Aga Sayed Ahmed Rizvi said that Government has ensured equal development in all the regions and sub- regions of the State. He said creation of Kargil district by late Sheikh Mojhd Abdullah was a special favour to the people of this region. He stressed for bringing improvement in the traffic system in Jammu and Srinagar cities.
Follow our WhatsApp channel