Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Jan 16: The ruling coalition had to face a major embarrassment in the Legislative Assembly when BJP MLA Choudhary Sukhnandan described the previous NC-Congress regime better than the incumbent Government.
Alleging discrimination with Jammu, he accused the Government of being insensitive towards the plights of farmers and even turning deaf ear to his voice for highlighting the grievances of aggrieved people.
“Aap Logon Se To Purani Sarkar Acchi Thi, Jo Hamari Baat Ko Sunti Thi Aur Problems Ko Hal Bhi Karti Thi ( previous Government was better than this one as they listened to our problems and solved the same)”, said the two time BJP MLA bringing thumping applause from the opposition benches.
While participating in the general discussion on Budget 2018-19, Choudhary Sukhnandan alleged discrimination with Jammu and said that the Finance Minister gave so much of relief to the Kashmir centric Horticulture and other sectors but Jammu farmers were completely ignored as noting was announced for promotion of Agriculture here.
The BJP MLA got annoyed when the Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu was about to leave the House even as the former was highlighting general grievances of the farming community in Jammu.
“If you don’t want to listen, let me stop the speech,” said Choudhary Sukhnandan after getting no response of the Finance Minister on his plea to remain in the House and listen to his concerns with regard to plights of farmers.
Apparently echoing sentiments of common workers of his party, the BJP MLA went to the extent of saying that he was very happy to be in opposition during the previous Government when he used to raise the issues of Jammu farmers. “The previous Government was better than this Government as they listened to our concerns and address the same. I was happy when I was in opposition,” he said.
The embarrassing remarks of the own party Legislator amidst thumping applause from the opposition benches left the ruling coalition Members red faced in the House.
Alleging that the Finance Minister had totally ignored vital agriculture sector in his Budget speech, .the BJP MLA said, “this is your fourth Budget but you focused on Kashmir region only. You abolished toll on apple being exported outside from Kashmir but forgot Basmati rice, which is grown here in Jammu. You have been appeasing one section but ignoring the other.”
Sukhnandan also drew attention towards the irrigation concern of the farmers and said that the month of January was about to end but de-silting of canals was yet to begin.
The BJP MLA also warned a stir against the alleged Government move of acquiring their land for Ring Road without paying them adequate compensation. “Don’t force farmers of borders for agitation. Don’t forcibly acquire their land. . They are not NHM workers who would leave dharna site. I will join and fight for them till my last breath,” he warned while taking a dig at the Government.
Former Finance Minister and Independent MLA Pawan Gupta also pooh-poohed the budget proposals describing the same as jugglery of words by the Finance Minister.
While participating in the budget discussion, he accused the Finance Minister of trying to befool everyone by manipulating the inflated figures. Quoting previous budgets, he sought to explain the mismatch between the projected figures and the actual ones.
Pawan Gupta alleged discrimination with Jammu region in the budget proposals and said that the Government was encouraging non-inclusive development. Giving examples, he said that incentives on silk industry were announced for Kashmir whereas Jammu division, especially Udhampur district is the highest producer of Cocoon and has healthy potential for successful operations in the sector. He also accused the Government of ignoring sapphire and gypsum industry in Jammu division.
The MLA also sought resignation of all the Vice-Chairpersons of 22 State Corporations as their functioning as well as drawing salary from the Government were in violation of the Company Laws. “What is the professional qualification of these VCs, who are additional burden on the already loss incurring Pubic Sector Undertakings?”, he asked.
Besides, the MLA stressed on urgent attention of the Government towards upgrading power infrastructure in the State and electrifying the un-electrified far off hamlets of the State. He drew attention towards certain issues that need action on the part of the Government. He asked the Government to take measures for development and promotion of tourism in Jammu region besides upgrading tourism infra at various tourist spots in the region.
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