Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 9: The Government had to face embarrassment in the Upper House of the J&K Legislature today as three resolutions of the private members (from NC and Congress) were passed in the absence of majority by BJP-PDP alliance.
Despite repeated assurances by the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Syed Basharat Bukhari, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar and Minister for Revenue, Javed Mustafa Mir, the members pressed for the passage of the three important resolutions and they were passed by the Legislative Council through voting despite opposition by the Treasury Benches. The Government was virtually put to the embarrassing situation by the opposition. Out of the six resolutions taken up by the House today, three were passed while three were withdrawn by the Members on the assurance of the Government.
The resolution of the Congress Member Jugal Kishore Sharma pertaining to inquiry by the Vigilance Organization with regard to the flood protection works by the concerned department along the river Chanab in Akhnoor, Reasi, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar divisions was passed in the House. The Member alleged that during Sept floods and March 2015 floods massive damage was caused and on the name of flood works, Government money worth crores was withdrawn and misused. He alleged that it is big scandal and those involved in it be brought to justice. Moreover, full details of funds utilized during 2014 were not provided.
Though Law Minister Basharat Bukhari, Education Minister Naeem Akhtar and Minister of State PHE , Irrigation and Flood Control Abdul Majid Padder, assured high level inquiry into the matter but the member pressed for the Vigilance inquiry. The Minister disclosed that while no funds were spent in Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban during last two years, in Akhnoor alone in 2013 funds to the tune of nearly Rs 793. 61 lakh were sanctioned and spent on 69 works under SDRF. Funds worth Rs 897.76 lakh were also spent in the same Flood Control Division in the border tail area of Chenab during the same period. In Reasi Rs 310 lakh were spent at Babbar Chumbiyan and Mansoo since 2005-06 under SDRF.
The Members alleged that as per information available with him as per an RTI Flood protection works worth Rs 71 crore have been done in Jammu, Akhnoor areas without tenders and it is big scandal. Out of these works worth Rs 40 crore in four blocks mostly in Akhnoor have been executed. There is need to expose officials-contractors nexus and politicians involved.
Vibodh Gupta from BJP pointed out that in Rajouri Flood Control Division, flood works worth Rs 24 crore were shown done in last two years but no work is visible on the ground. He also stressed for holding inquiry and action against the politicians and officials involved. He alleged that most of these works have been done without tenders and the booty was shared by the beneficiaries.
Firdous Tak from PDP even not being in opposition supported the resolutions and said that some issues of urgent public importance are most important and one should rise above the party lines. He demanded setting up of House committee to hold inquiry into this issue and also look into the works ignored related to treatment of catchment areas of Dul Hasti and Baglihar power project authorities in Kishtwar and Ramban. He pointed out that nearly 29,000 sq km area of Chenab valley has been affected with the dams and road was also sinking at various places.
Another resolution of Dr Shehnaz Ganai, demanding 5 marla plots for the border area people/ firing victims along IB and LoC was also passed in the Upper House despite assurances by the Minister for Revenue Javed Mustafa Mir and Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu. The Revenue Minister claimed that Government was already serious into the matter and Divisional Commissioner Jammu has been issued directions to identify the land.
The Resolution of Dr Basheer Ahmed Veeri pertaining to construction of flood channel in Kashmir and setting up of Scientific Commission to look into the changing weather phenomenon, occurrence of floods, landslides and suggesting appropriate measures to the State. In his well informative address, the MLC drew the attention of the Government towards the possible natural calamities with the changing of climatic conditions in the region and steps to be taken to save the present and coming generations from the devastations like September 2014 floods in Kashmir. The resolution was put to vote by the acting chairman and was passed with the majority vote.
Meanwhile, resolution of Naresh Gupta pertaining to appointment of IAS/KAS officers on the Administrative posts in the Hospitals and spare doctors to serve the people was withdrawn on the assurance of the Minister of State for Health Asiya Naqash. Similarly the resolutions of G N Monga regarding construction of Baramulla-Kupwara rail track and Sham Lal Bhagat regarding regularization of Chowkidar and Numberdars and enhancement of their remuneration was withdrawn on the assurance of the Minister.
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