Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 16: Main opposition party National Conference today alleged removal of foundation stones laid by the previous Government at the behest of PDP-BJP Coalition.
While participating in discussion on Budget in the Legislative Assembly, National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar said, “the Ministers of present Government are even removing the foundation stones laid during the tenure of previous dispensation”. He accused the PDP-BJP Government of indulging in cheap politics.
On this, former Minister and PDP MLA Javed Mustafa Mir stressed that Ali Mohammad Sagar should furnish list of such incidents in the House. “I have the right to know the names of the Ministers on whose behest the foundation stones have been removed as alleged by the MLA”, he said, adding “let a list of such incidents be circulated in this House”.
Even Javed Ahmed Rana of National Conference and Vikar Rasool of Congress alleged that foundation stones laid in their respective constituencies during the previous dispensation have been removed on the directions of PDP-BJP Government. Javed Ahmad Rana also brought to the notice of Deputy Speaker, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, who was conducting the proceedings of the House, that even an ex-MLA has installed foundation stone of a work in his constituency.
Joining the issue, former Speaker and NC MLA, Mohd Akbar Lone stressed that a House Committee should be constituted on this issue. On being repeatedly asked by the PDP MLA Javed Mustafa Mir, NC MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar said, “Chrar-e-Sharief is one such constituency”. Even Congress MLA from Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori named one project whose foundation stone was replaced following change of Government in the State.
Expressing concern over the issue, Deputy Speaker while addressing the Treasury Benches said, “this is wrong and should not happen in future”. His views were also subscribed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri. He, however, clarified that none of the Ministers of present dispensation has indulged in such a cheap politics.