Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 2: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today paid rich tributes to former law makers for their contribution in the political and public life of the State besides their respective fields and specialities.
Speaking on the Obituary Reference in the Lower House on the first day of the Budget Session, the Chief Minister described the former legislators as men of impeccable record and honesty who all along worked tirelessly for the welfare of masses. She said these former lawmakers have left us with many lessons to follow for selfless service to masses. She suggested the House to think of way and means to be explored to help the wards and kin of former legislators for their rehabilitation and sustenance.
The Chief Minister described late M L Fotedar as a very intelligent politician who rose through to a very high position of Union Minister by dint of hard work. She said the late leader worker closely with former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and would long be remembered by the people of the State for his work for the upliftment of the masses.
Mehbooba Mufti described former Ministers, late Sheikh Mohammad Maqbool and Sofi Mohi ud Din as very honest politicians and leaders whose lives are examples to emulate and who played key role in strengthening democratic traditions in the State.
She also paid tributes to former Deputy Speaker, Moulvi Abdul Rashid who, she said, worked tirelessly for the people of far flung areas of Banihal constituency till his last days.
The Chief Minister also paid rich tributes to former Member Parliament, Shabir Salaria describing him as an ace lawyer and political activist whose contribution to legal profession and parliamentary discussions would long be remembered.
Mehbooba Mufti described late O P Saraf as a leading voice in the journalistic fraternity and public life of the State. She said late Dr. Syed Naseer Ahmad Shah made an excellent contribution in the extension of medical services in the State which people would remember for long. She also paid rich tributes to late S. K. Abrol.
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The Chief Minister also paid glowing tributes to late Kaushak Bakula and described him as the architect of modern Ladakh who played a key role in the development of the region.
Earlier, Speaker Kavinder Gupta moved the Obituary Reference and threw light on the political and social life of late legislators.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh; legislators, M Y Tarigami; Muhammad Shafi, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Sat Sharma, Er. Rasheed and Bashir Ahmad Dar also spoke on the reference and paid rich tributes to these late leaders.
Jora asked the Speaker to set apart a suitable time during the ongoing session to recall the great contributions of Kushok Bakula, a great leader of Ladakh in order to respect the sentiments of the people of Ladakh region.
Later the House stood up for two minutes as a mark of respect to these leaders.
During the Obituary Reference in the Legislative Council, Leader of the House and Minister for R&B, Naeem Akhtar said that Obituary Reference should not be politicized by any political party or the member in the House.
While reacting to the remarks of some of the members while participating in the Obituary Reference, Naeem Akhtar said that members should not politicize the Obituary References. He said the members would have plenty of time during the entire session and they can express their view point on the subject but the members should avoid politicizing this occasion.
He paid tributes to the former Union Minister ML Fotedar described him as most important man after Indira Gandhi when she was Prime Minister of the country.
He also paid tributes to Late Shabir Ahmed Salaria Ex-MP, former minister Sheikh Mohd Maqbool, former minister Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi from Handwara, Moulvi Abdul Rashid- former Dy Speaker, OP Saraf (Ex-MLC), Surinder Kumar Abrol (Ex-MLC) and Dr Sayed Naseer Ahmed Shah ( Ex-MLC).
Several members of the House namely Surinder Mohan Ambardar, Ramesh Arora, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Sowkat Ganai, Zafar Manhas, Ajatshatru Singh, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Saifuddin Bhat, Sham Lal Bhagat, Surinder Choudhary, Naresh Gupta, Khursheed Alam, Girdhari Lal Raina and Sofi Yousuf participated in the Obituary Reference.
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