Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 21: Cutting across party lines, members from Treasury and Opposition benches created ruckus in the Legislative Assembly today demanding that the role of an MLA in development works be defined as some members alleged that the elected representatives were being humiliated by the bureaucracy.
“The elected representatives (MLAs) who have been given mandate by the people are helpless before the bureaucracy and the executive, they are being humiliated,” CPI(M) MLA, M Y Tarigami said.
He was speaking during the Question Hour on a question asked by Independent MLA Hakim Mohammad Yasin. Tarigami said while District Development Boards were there, it was ironic that these institutions were being headed by a Minister nominated by the Government.
“The Minister is not a locally elected person of the district. Does he know more about the constituencies than the MLAs?”, Tarigami said while pleading for a greater role for MLAs in the development process.
The CPI(M) MLA was supported by ruling PDP-BJP combine as well as opposition parties Congress and National Conference. Several MLAs spoke on the need for involving the local MLAs in planning and monitoring of development works in their respective constituencies.
Initially, Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu responded to the demand by saying the Assembly constituency was neither an administrative unit nor a development unit. However, as most of the MLAs stood for defining the role of MLAs in these works, Drabu said it was for the House to decide what kind of role they want.
“I have no objection. Let this House decide,” he said.
Earlier, Finance Minister said the district capital expenditure (CAPEX) budgets were approved by the District Development Boards. He said the MLAs of the area are the
members of these Boards which accords approval to the District CAPEX Budgets.
The Minister said that circular instructions have already been issued to all the District Development Commissioners to consult legislators concerned before formulation of draft district capex budgets, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and suggestions of the legislators are appropriately incorporated in the concerned schemes. He said it was for the first time that before budget session, the board meetings were held in order to take the concerned MLAs on board.
Later in the Zero Hour, PDP MLA Abdul Majeed Paddar again demanded that the issue of role of MLA be defined and he was supported by the entire House. All the MLAs cutting across the party lines took to their feet and supported his demand.
Minister Haq Khan said that MLAs’ role can’t be restricted to development or other issues. MLA is answerable to people in the constituency. He said that the MLAs have role while the DPRs are prepared for various Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Ali Mohammad Sagar said that the MLAs be taken into confidence for developmental works in constituencies. Javed Beg said that the credit of the works done in any constituency goes to Government.
Rigzin Jora said that the DDBs need to be strengthened and MLA recommendations on various issues need to be incorporated.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
