* Chenab belt facing acute scarcity of ration, LPG
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 6: The Upper House of the J&K Legislature was adjourned after it witnessed noisy scenes and protest against the Government, not only by the Opposition-National Confere-nce and Congress, but also by some members from the ruling alliance (PDP), for its failure to restore blocked National Highway and other roads and rescue the people facing hardships due to rains, landslides and snowfall, disrupting proceedings for over 20 minutes today.
The PDP members Yasir Reshi, Firdous Tak and all the members from Chenab region including Naresh Gupta, Sham Lal Bhagat and Sajjad Kichloo carrying planks in hands and depicting demands moved to the Well of the House raising slogans and started protest. They were demanding justice for the people of Chenab region. They were also shouting slogans against the PDP-BJP Coalition Government for its utter failure in restoring Batote-Doda-Kishtwar and Bhaderwah roads besides all other link roads of erstwhile Doda district.
Yasir Reshi from PDP also moved to the Well of the House to lodge his protest against the previous and the present regime. He alleged that for the last over six months, houses of the people from his Sonawari area are water-logged. The administration had failed to provide any relief or rescue these hapless people. The agitating MLC cornered even the ruling alliance Ministers and was not in mood to listen to his party Ministers despite intervention by the Acting Chairman Jehangir Mir and colleagues. He alleged that Government was sleeping and was insensitive to the genuine issues of the public. He asked what was their fault as they were being ignored.
Another PDP member drew the attention of the Government towards three sinking villages of Kishtwar from where over one hundred families have been shifted to safer locations. He alleged that no relief or rescue operation has been launched. Road are closed for the last many days and a House Committee be framed which would get all the details after visiting these areas and submit its report to the House.
Naresh Gupta and Sham Lal Bhagat from Congress and Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo from National Conference also launched scathing attack on the Government and alleged that due to its callous approach, the people of Chenab Valley are suffering badly. They pointed out that roads are closed for the last over 8-10 days. There is acute shortage of ration, kerosene oil, LPG, vegetables and other items.
Land slides and snowfall have created havoc and Administration has paralysed. No one has reached to the people who are facing brunt of weather and even no Minister or top officer reached Dessa village where seven members of a family were buried alive on April 3. They demanded that house be adjourned and special discussion be held and Government should reply over the issue.
The NC members Dr Shehnaz Ganai raised issue related to damages caused in Poonch, Mandi and Surankote especially washing away of SK bridge at Poonch while Dr B A Veeri, Showkat Ganai and Qaiser Jamshed raised matter related to flood problem in Kashmir and water logging at various places besides poor restoration work. Jugal Kishore from Congress was agitating about the neglect of Reasi, Bamag, Pancheri and Mahore areas by the Administration while Vibodh Gupta from BJP and Surinder Choudhary of PDP raised the issue related to killing of three labourers in Nowshera in mine blast and sought compensation for them. They also drew the attention of the Government towards the damages caused to the areas during rains and floods and slow pace of restoration.
The Acting Chairman Jahangir Mir and even Minister for Horticulture, Haj and Auqaf failed to restore order despite repeated interventions. Nothing was clearly audible in the din. Mr Mir even offered to hold discussion in the House over the issue tomorrow and asked the members to allow the proceedings conducted smoothly in the House. However, the protest continued for about 20 minutes. The Acting Chairman then adjourned the House for about 10 minutes. The House then again resumed its work at 11.30 am followed by Question Hour.
AR Veeri, however, later assured the agitating PDP member that Government was serious and would do whatever is possible to remove water logging and provide all possible help to the marooned or trapped people in Valley. He also assured help to the Chenab Valley people and restoration of blocked highway and other link roads. The Chairman however, rejected the demand of House Committee as only three days were left for the session.
Meanwhile, during question hour, the NC member Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri also staged walk out of the House after he was not satisfied by the response of the Government for his question pertaining to Working Groups and rehabilitation of surrendered militants.
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