Cong-NC differences surface

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 28: Difference between ruling Alliance partners-Congress and National Conference figured in the Legislative Assembly today when Congress MLA from Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, a former Minister, charged the Government with shifting all 10,000 solar lights and 6,000 solar cookers meant for Kishtwar district to Kishtwar Assembly segment, represented by National Conference MLA and Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mr Saroori, whose Inderwal segment was also part of Kishtwar district, said the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (which is headed by NC leader Dr Farooq Abdullah) had sanctioned 10,000 solar lights, each valued at Rs 12,000 and 6000 solar cookers, each having a cost of Rs 6000, for Kishtwar district.
“My constituency (Inderwal) is also part of Kishtwar district but all 16,000 solar lights and cookers have been shifted to Kishtwar Assembly segments and were being distributed among the workers of a party,” Mr Saroori said.
He claimed that 10 per cent cost of solar cookers had even been paid by the MLC from his Constituency Development Fund for which the Planning Minister had relaxed the rules.
Mr Saroori alleged that this was a clear case of discrimination with his Inderwal Assembly segment.
The Government, however, didn’t respond to the charges made by Mr Saroori.