Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 31: Apparently for the first time, the members of both opposition and ruling party today staged walkout from Legislative Council over lack of action against Independent legislator Engineer Abdul Rashid over his un-parliamentary remarks against Upper House and also against alleged discriminatory approach of the Government towards them.
As soon as the proceedings of the House began this morning, the members from Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Congress and National Conference (NC) simultaneously started uproar and sought action against Engineer Rashid. The BJP’s Ajatshatru Singh said there has been no action against Rashid even as they have written to the Privilege Committee on the issue.
“Engineer Rashid has desecrated the sanctity of the House,” the members shouted amid pandemonium. The members were also miffed over the lack of facilities to them in terms of security, residential quarters and escort vehicles.
Amid uproar, Chairman Anayat Ali tried to pacify the House members and told them to sit down. “The Parliame-ntary Affairs Minister will speak over the issue,” the Chairman said but the members from both Treasury and Opposition benches boycotted the proceedings and said they will, as a mark of protest, stay out for two minutes.
As the MLCs walked out, only Ministers and Deputy Chairman was left in the House. Chairman Anayat Ali adjourned the House proceedings for 10 minutes. The members of the Council were later asked by the Chairman to present their demands before Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. One member from each party after the question hour raised the issues, being faced by all the MLCs.
Ghulam Nabi Monga of Congress said Engineer Rashid has desecrated the sanctity of the House. He said the MLCs don’t get escort and are not consulted while framing the plans. “Mufti sahab used to consult all, cutting across party lines,” he said. The NC’s Sajjad Kitchloo said that the walkout of the members was justified and said they are facing neglect from the official side.
Vibodh Gupta of BJP in his address raised the issue of lack of accommodation and escort and said that they don’t have even an operator. He expressed concern over lack of security to the members and urged Government to restore the sanctity of the House. Gupta further said that the MLCs are not being consulted while formulating plans in the districts. “Please define our working,” he said and also sought action against Engineer Rashid.
PDP’s Zaffar Iqbal Manhas said if the Upper House is a burden on State Exchequer and dumping ground for politicians then the Council should be closed down. He also shared the concerns of other Lawmakers and said he doesn’t feel that he has been empowered as MLC.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, soon after hearing to the grievances of the MLCs, said her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who was also member of the Council for a long time, was of the opinion that the ideas, advices and suggestions should come out from the Upper House.
“That because the people who are here don’t come after getting elected by taking up the issues of power, water etc but they come here for important things, for contributing and presenting ideas,” she said and admitted the importance of the House. She said no law could be passed without Upper House members.
Mehbooba, who was speaking in the Upper House for the first time as the Chief Minister, expressed her unhappiness over its architecture. “The Hall is also congested and I didn’t like it because the grace which an Upper House should have is not here. Let’s see what Allah does and what we can do.”
Coming to the grievances of MLCs, the Chief Minister said earlier there were financial constraints and that’s why the vehicles for the Lawmakers of the Upper House couldn’t be bought. “As far as the issue of facilities is concerned, most importantly transport and accommodation and security… We have some problems. We ordered new vehicles and some other were also repaired. You know that we didn’t have good financial situation when we took over the charge of the State,” she said.
Mehbooba, however, said the situation has now improved and assured members that she will talk to DGP K Rajendra. “We couldn’t buy vehicles for all but now the situation is somehow better and I will talk to the DGP with regard to this and most importantly the Chairman should have perfect vehicle,” she informed the House.
Admitting lack of residential facilities for lawmakers, the Chief Minister said: “I have spoken to the Director Estates yesterday with regard to the accommodation for our MLCs and MLAs particularly those from Jammu… Basically we don’t have residential accommodation and where we have the people are not vacating them. Sometimes they approach court and sometimes somewhere else. So I told (Estates) to hire a building where at least we can have two rooms plus bathroom and kitchen so that they can bring their wives and children in summers.”
Regarding non-involvement of MLCs in plan meetings, Mehbooba said this is a long pending issue and assured that her Government will try to balance between MLAs and MLCs. “This is not today’s issue. This is the situation everywhere. Naturally this is something where it is difficult to balance. An MLA after winning the polls thinks that it (constituency) is now his capital… But cutting across the party lines we will try to balance in this without minimizing the importance of an MLA because he is answerable to voters unlike you… we will find out the way. We can’t cut out you from the system,” she added.
With regard to security, the Chief Minister admitted that there should be no carelessness of any kind and informed the House that she will pass on directions to the DGP and Home Department. “I think we shouldn’t do any delay or show carelessness into this. I will direct DG and Home Department to see where there is a need (to provide security) because in Jammu there is no need for escort but in Kashmir there are certain areas where they need it. It is in our hand… we can provide you security, protocol and respect and I think we should do it,” she added.
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