Mufti interrupts Tarigami; Sagar, Lone stage walkout
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 24: The ruling alliance and Opposition parties continued attacks and counter attacks on each other during the budget discussions on second day in State Assembly today.
While the ruling alliance termed the budget as historical, the opposition termed it a well crafted bag of tricks.
Participating in the discussions on the budget, NC provincial president, Devender Singh Rana made a scathing attack on ruling alliance. Not sparing the Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu he said the budget presented by him has failed to inspire any body as it is a fairy tail woven by an economist by using only words and ignoring the facts. This budget is nothing except well crafted bag of tricks, he added.
Mr Rana wanted to know from the Finance Minister that what prompted him to use the phrase begging bowls. “We too wanted fiscal autonomy and not dependence on Centre. But what we got from Centres scheme of financing is that which other states also get”,. So what forced you to use word. Your performance will be judged in next budget presented in March 2016 if you will make the State self sufficient by then and don’t go with a begging bowl and I will appreciate it, he added.
He pointed out several flaws in the budget proposals and suggested several new initiatives for improving the overall economy of the State.
He also stressed the need for a comprehensive tourism policy based on new ideas and exploring new potential areas. He said Government should facilitate Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims to Kashmir valley by providing them attractive and logistical facilities. He also urged the Government to give focused attention on the social sector to address the problems of poor and destitute.
Rana while referring to budget speech of Finance Minister said that Dr Drabu claimed in his budget speech that he abolished plan and non plan which is not based on facts as it was Centre which abolished the Planning Commission and changed the scheme of financing so the State was left with no alternative but to abolish the plan and non plan. Rana also while taking on with Finance Minister ridiculed his claim that he was the first Finance Minister to introduce the same and said before him the Punjab has introduced the same. This is not your innovation for this Jaitley deserves praise, he added.
The NC leader said hopes were generated after Dr Drabu took as Finance Minister of the State but as he started reading his budget speech all hopes dashed to ground. The Finance Minster forgot the big aspects of financing and he left it halfway saying that I have got crisis in legacy, he added.
He said rehabilitation of flood victims is nothing new as NC led previous coalition had submitted a proposal of Rs 44000 crore package to Centre already.
On outsourcing of Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, he said there will be no need of the same as Centre is bringing GST regime from 2016.
Rana said like new Industry policy, which will be launched from July this year the Government was supposed to bring Agriculture policy also to address the problems of this sector also. Similarly the launch of comprehensive tourism policy is also the need of hour and instead of saying that the Government will do this and that in 12th plan and 13th plan you should make short term, medium term and long term policy to fix tangible targets.
He also criticized the Finance Minister for not speaking on power budget and this way you ignored this important sector.
CPI (M) leader M Y Tarigami while criticizing the budget said though budget is important factor of developing State’s economy, it has failed to bridge the gap between rich and poor. This budget is of no use as it helps capitalists.
Suggesting reviewing of Centre -State relations, he said that money transferred to the States should be on the basis of equality. Tarigami alleged that on Financial level State has not received justice from Centre and for improving State’s economy Government has to approach Centre for more financial allocations, he added.
He wanted to know what policies Government has for the social sector development. The CPI (M) leader was interrupted by Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed when he referred to alliance between North Pole and South Pole. Mr Sayeed said that during VP Singh Government Left was also supporting it along with BJP.
Tarigami said that there is no mention about Health Sector in budget and demanded old age pension be enhanced and casual laborers be given wages in time.
During the debate NC senior leaders including M Y Tarigami and Mohammad Akbar Lone staged a walkout in protest saying that Speaker, Kavinder Gupta was not giving proper time to Opposition. “NC leader Lone stood up from his seat to protest against the Speaker alleging that he was ignoring members of his Party in allocation of time. He said that Speaker was bias. Supporting him Ali Mohammad Sagar also stood up from his sat saying that Speaker was bias. This was refuted by Kavinder Gupta who said that he is not bias and NC has been allocated proper time. However other NC members also stood up from their seats and protested. Not satisfied with Speaker reply Sagar and Lone staged a walkout. The other NC members also tried to leave the House in protest but on the intervention of Minister of Horticulture, Haj and Auqaf Abdul Rehman Veeri they stayed back.
BJP’s Sat Sharma (CA) while welcoming the budget said that economy, education,, health care and environment are the basic pillars of development and efforts were made in this budget to improve the State’s economy. He while giving figures and facts said that Krishi Sector is going behind and needs more attention as 70 percent people are dependent on this sector.
He wanted a probe where the crores of rupees got from Centre as aid have been spent. He said there are 34 percent BPL and wanted to know why the poor is becoming poorer day by day.
Sharma thanked the Finance Minister and said that budget presented by the Minister is people friendly. He said assistance to Kissan Credit Card holders is a good step but he suggested that the provision for relaxation of Rs. one lakh may be enhanced.
He supported the Finance Minister for saying that he will not go with a begging bowl to Centre saying what is wrong in it. He demanded that VAT be reduced to five percent and be brought at par with neighboring Punjab.
His Party colleague Rajiv Jasrotia termed it a pro-poor, pro lower and middle class budget. This budget will end regional imbalances, give impetus to agriculture, horticulture and other sectors of State economy and it has generated a lot of hope among the people.
He demanded that local people be involved in Lakhanpur Toll Plaza outsourcing and with the declaration of Katra and Anantnag as smart cities attention be paid to Kathua which is the gate way of J&K.
He strongly advocated for opening of AIIMS for Jammu and demanded that Mango brought under the ambit of model business villages. Besides for Gaddi Sipti people a model ethno village be established in Jammu. This was later agreed by the Finance Minister. The MLA demanded that Nagri Toll Plaza in Kathua be made functional.
BJP’s Ravinder Raina strongly advocated for setting up of AIIMS at Jammu saying it is more needed here. Raina while welcoming Government initiative regarding opening of AIIMS in Kashmir Valley said that Jammu be also considered as it is more needed here.
He also demanded up-gradation of all district hospitals as Medical Colleges. Besides he advocated for increasing CDF, he added. Ravinder Raina hailed the budget and said that dynamic Finance Minister has used his vast experience to prepare the visionary budget taking care of all stakeholders. He said the Government has made honest effort to bring the State’s economy on track by proposing new and innovative measures in various viable sectors.
He also suggested for setting up of Refugee Development Board to address the problems of refugees.
PDP’s Abdul Rahim Rather while welcoming the budget said it will usher into an era of progress and prosperity and help in employment generation. Rather described the budget as pro-people which is aimed at boosting the economy. He sought more steps for upgradation of tourism infrastructure and exploring new destinations in Kokernag area. He also sought innovative steps to give boost to the horticulture production in the State.
Advocate Bashir Ahmed of PC hailed the budget and said that the Finance Minister has made an earnest exercise to do justice with all sections of the society. This budget is different from previous budgets as Government has given focus to social sector and other income generating sectors. He, however, stressed the need for more initiatives on agriculture and horticulture sectors which he described as are major resources for enhancing the State’s economy.
Syed Aga Ruhulla highlighted lack of suitable provisions in the budget for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood affected people of the State besides seeking from the Government a clear rehabilitation policy for the Dal Dwellers.
Vikar Rasool Wani criticized the budget proposals and said that Government has not given serious thoughts to improve the conditions of deprived sections of the society. The Government has ignored the basic sectors like health, roads and education and sought adequate steps to strengthen these sectors in rural areas. He pleaded for enhancement of remuneration of SPOs and a policy for regularization of daily rated workers.
Aijaz Ahmed Mir appreciated the budget and said that initiative will go a long way in boosting the economy of the State. He suggested for taking more steps to improve the agriculture and horticulture activities describing these sectors as key to economic growth of the State. He also sought enhancement of remuneration for Numberdars and Chowkidars.
Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi demanded adequate funds for strengthening the basic infrastructure and timely completion of on-going projects in his constituency. He urged upon the Government to give focussed attention to address the problems of hilly and far-flung areas.
R. S. Pathania while supporting the budget, said the Government has taken several visionary initiatives for the welfare of people, especially the women folk. He stressed the need for development of Surinsar and Mansar lakes and more funds for Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority. He also demanded more privileges for the MLAs.
Yawar Dillawar Mir called for upgrading the Sopore fruit Mandi and providing it with world class facilities for the fruit growers. He emphasized the need for creating more employment opportunities for the educated youth, enhancement of wages for SPOs and hike in the salary of PAs of MLAs.
Sheikh Abdul Rashid gave the budget a mixed response. He said some good initiatives have been taken especially for the women folk, however, government should answer why it has not been able to deliver on the promise it had made regarding the rehabilitation of the flood affected people. He also pointed out that the Government has not kept any provision for the functioning of newly created administrative units. He also called for upgradation of educational infrastructure, improvement of public services, protection of labour rights, and office for MLAS and construction of Press Club in Srinagar.
Altaf Ahmad Wani appreciated some good initiatives in the budget for the welfare of the people like women empowerment and promoting the girl child. He suggested certain measures for further streamlining the system to generate revenue and improving the economy. He stressed on promoting the tourism in the uncovered areas of Kashmir Valley. He also sought steps for strengthening the functioning of JKTDC to make it a profit earning organization.
Asgar Ali Karbalaie alleged disparity in proposed budget with the Ladakh region and said that there is nothing for the development of this region. He demanded sufficient funds for upgradation of essential sectors in Kargil and Leh districts. He said that the Central Government employees working in Leh and Kargil districts are benefited with Special Duty Allowances and suggested that State employees working in these districts may also be given the same allowances. He also demanded developing Leh and Kargil as smart cities.
Mohammad Amin Bhat alleged lack of sufficient provision of funds in health sector especially for the ASHA workers. The farming community has also been ignored totally and no provision for compensation for crops and fruits damaged due to floods and heavy rains has been kept in the budget, he said. He also sought enhancement of funds under CDF and regularization of casual labours.
Deldan Namgyal appreciated good initiatives in the budget which are people friendly. He suggested some measures to upgrade the rural services like health, road connectivity, education, transport and power and demanded adequate funds for these.
Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi while taking part in budget discussion said that the employees working in the border and far-flung areas should be given Border allowances as was given during the period of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. He said there are 45 posts of Doctors vacant in Gurez which need to be filled up on priority.
Raja Manzoor Ahmad described the budget as people friendly and hoped that the State’s economy would grow faster with the visionary measures proposed by the Finance Minister. He suggested for promoting Sarhad tourism in his constituency.
Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyial appreciated the budget proposals and said that the maiden budget of PDP-BJP Government is a visionary approach aimed to address the aspirations of all sections of the society. He suggested for upgradation of border tourism in Jammu which has vast potential. He also demanded focussed attention on the upgradation of essential infrastructure to provide improved facilities to the people.
Mumtaz Ahmad Khan also appreciated some good measures in the budget and said that these steps will provide relief to the common man upto some extent. He, however, maintained that there are no sufficient provisions for the development of rural areas under important sectors and sought adequate funding to improve the conditions of rural people. He also suggested exploring the tourism potential in his area.
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