Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Mar 25: While the Government came under a scathing attack from a handful of Opposition MLAs present in the House for eroding the sanctity of autonomous institutions including Accountability Commission, the ruling alliance hailed the achievements of four years of coalition rule.
Participating in the debate on the Chief Minister’s grants Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh took Government to task for making the Accountability Commission a toothless body. He said though Vigilance Commission was also constituted recently but it is yet to start the work.
Terming the claims made by Government on transparency totally hollow, Singh said that in response to his RTI application he was informed that during last three years 9000 works were allotted without tenders in the State.
He suggested that a Lok Pal be also appointed on the pattern of the Central Government to bring transparency in the system. The Working Group recommendations are at the disposal of Ministers and the Finance Commission recommendations have also been handed over to a group of Ministers. He demanded that the reports of all commissions be discussed in the House.
Harshdev said that there should be no hurry on Police Bill and the Bill should be brought under public domain and discussions held on it. He also suggested that in power sector attention be paid towards thermal, solar and wind energy to cater to the immediate needs of the people as big projects take years together for construction.
Criticizing the outside forces trying to disturb peace in the State, M S Niaz slammed Pakistan for its role. He said that Pakistan came into being on the name of Islam but one can see the condition of Muslims there. Huge massacres are taking place in our neighbouring country, he added.
He said Pakistan was unnecessary interfering into the internal affairs of J&K. Had the terrorists succeeded in December 13 Parliament attack there would have been heavy loss in the country, he added.
Supporting Article 370 giving special constitutional position to J&K, he opposed its abrogation.
Turning tables on People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Engineer Rashid criticized it for boycotting the House. He said that the House was the best forum for the public representatives to discuss the people’s problems and PDP lost this opportunity.
Rashid said that he too met problems and at occasions he was dubbed as CBI and ISI agent. When this did not work he was marshaled out of the House, he added.
He said that on Guru issue he had met Chief Minister as well as Opposition PDP to avert the trouble but PDP leaders told him that there’s was a large party and he can’t dictate to them.
Rashid said till peace returns nothing can happen in the State. Maintaining that NC and PDP are two larger parties, he said they should take steps in this direction. The MLA said either the political parties should confine themselves to developmental issues and leave the dispute to separatists, India and Pakistan to resolve or play their role.
Rashid said the day he will see that autonomy or self rule is at the doorsteps of J&K, he would join either PDP or NC. Lambasting Muzaffar Hussain Baig he said the senior PDP leader had said that if Ghulam Nabi Azad had been the Chief Minister of the State, Guru would have not been hanged. If it is so was not Azad in Union Government which decided hanging of Guru, he asked?
Accusing Congress of adopting double standards, he said Party general secretary Digvijay Singh is demanding that Sanjay Dutt be freed. He said with what mouth Congress demands freedom for Sanjay Dutt. If entire India is with Sanjay Dutt what is fault of Kashmiris, he asked?
The Government was pushing the Kashmiris to wall, he said, adding “I contested elections as atrocities were committed on people of Kashmir otherwise I was an engineer”. Terming NHPC as East India Company he demanded all agreements with it should be snapped.
Dr Mustafa Kamaal wanted to know what happened to reports of Working Groups, Jethmalani Committee and Interlocutors. He demanded bunkers removal should continue and besides the people who take bribe those who give bribe should also be taken to task.
Ashwani Sharma saluted the security forces and police personnel who attained martyrdom saying the normalcy has been restored because of their sacrifices. There should be no rehabilitation policy for militants but for the children of martyrs from security forces.
Jagdish Raj Sapolia opposed autonomy and self rule saying J&K is integral part of India and it will continue to be so.
NC’s Abdul Gani Malik while hailing the Government said it brought many popular projects and schemes for the welfare of people like PS Guarantee Act, SK Employment and Welfare Programme for the youth, Vigilance Commission etc. The common man is satisfied with performance of Omar Abdullah Government but some people are frustrated with Government’s achievements and they misled people as they don’t want peace should be restored.
He said healthy opposition is welcome but the opposition criticizes Government on sensitive issues which it should not do. “Though we don’t claim to have achieved milestone but the Government is heading for that” he added.
G M Saroori said that Sageer Committee had recommended that Dul Hasti Project be transferred to State Government to compensate it for Indus Water Treaty loss but this has not been done till date. Maximum projects are constructed in Chenab Valley and local youth be given employment in them, he added.
Hakim Yasin said that State was limping back to normalcy but in 2010 situation worsened again. Maintaining that J&K is a sensitive State, he said every decision should be taken with care. Peace had returned but some mistakes took place which gave it a setback, he added.
He said Liyaqat who returned from Pakistan yesterday under surrender policy was arrested. This has sent a wrong signal as many more militants were ready for return. If militancy has to be eradicated then we have to tread carefully, he added.
Hakim Yasin said that no one was supporting militants for last three to four years now as people wanted peace, development and eradication of unemployment in Kashmir. Though many steps were taken for restoration of peace and roads were opened but it needs an honest approach, he added.
He demanded implementation of Working Group and Sageer Committee recommendations and review of surrender policy.
On NHPC he said the land and water is of the State but it does not get power. The employees and engineers working in these projects are outsiders, he added. He also expressed grave concern over the warning given by NHPC to the State.
Prof Garu Ram said that Government should take steps that all communities live in peace and tranquility. Stressing on eradication of corruption from the State, he said by doing so people will heave a sigh of relief. The steps be taken to make J&K a corruption free State. He demanded equitable development of all three regions, settlement of problems of PoK and West Pak refugees. Those refugees who have no right to cast their vote be given this right as they are the inhabitants of J&K.
Prof Garu Ram said that power sector gives problems in Summer and attention be paid to it. He demanded that HT and LT System be made better. He also demanded release of ration money to police and the same be given at par with Centre. The SC and STs facing problems in promotion and employment the same be redressed.
T Namgyal stressed on full road connectivity to Ladakh. He said there is neither staff nor officer in Leh Information Department. He alleged that ST officers are deprived of promotions and demanded that VIP level exchange be opened at Leh.
Balwant Singh Mankotia demanded that second phase of water supply scheme for Udhampur be implemented and issue of PDD daily wagers who are on dharna for last four years be settled.
He also demanded that ration money be increased besides enhancement of wages of SPOs. He also stressed on strengthening of VDCs.
Opposing the rehabilitation policy for militants he said those who waged a war against the nation should not be forgiven and demanded that Information Department employees be given two and half days extra salary.
Others who participated in the debate included Indu Pawar , Bimla Luthra, Charanjit Singh, Mohammed Ashraf, Bharat Bushan, Ashok Kumar, Aijaz Jan and Durga Dass.
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