Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 3: Two National Conference MLAs from Srinagar district and Congress Member from Inderwal today entered into heated arguments with the National Conference Minister over discrimination with certain areas in opening of Fire and Emergency Stations. The agitating NC MLAs were all set to stage walk-out but the Speaker’s intervention prevented embarrassing situation for the Government.
The uproar over the issue started in the Legislative Assembly when Minister of State for Sheep and Animal Husbandry on behalf of Home Minister stated that Director General, Fire and Emergency Services has submitted a proposal for establishment of 91 Fire and Emergency Stations/posts. However, it has been decided to regularize 43 D category Fire and Emergency Stations being run by internal adjustment in the first instance before establishment of additional stations/posts in other areas including Chhatroo, Kahara and Banjwah areas.
Alleging discrimination with Inderwal constituency in the opening of Fire and Emergency Stations, former Minister and Congress MLA, G M Saroori remarked, “despite being member of the Coalition, Congress is being discriminated with as during the past four years I have been demanding three fire stations but no decision has so far been taken”.
Though Mr Gurezi tried to calm down Congress MLA by stating that there was no question of discriminating with any area yet Mr Saroori was not ready to relent and asked the Minister to clarify as to what were the reasons behind not sanctioning Fire and Emergency Stations at Chhatroo, Kahara and Banjwah despite the fact that several fire incidents have taken place in these areas.
“Repeated assurances were given in this regard that too on the floor of the House during the past four years but now it is said that establishment of fire stations in these areas will be examined and would be opened subject to availability of funds/resources”, Mr Saroori rued.
The Congress MLA was joined by National Conference MLAs from Srinagar district—Peer Afaq and Mohammad Irfan Shah, who remarked, “we too have been discriminated with”, adding “during the past four years assurances are being given on the floor of the House about opening of Fire and Emergency Stations at Bemina and Zadibal but till date nothing has happened on ground”.
Both these National Conference MLAs even entered into heated arguments with Minister Nazir Ahmed Gurezi over discrimination with their areas. “We too have been elected by the people and have not come to this house from parachute”, remarked Peer Afaq.
As there was no satisfactory reply from the Minister about opening of Fire and Emergency Stations at Bemina and Zadibal, both these MLAs left their seats to stage walk-out. However, Speaker Mubarak Gul prevented them from creating embarrassment for the Government and directed the Minister to consider the demands of Peer Afaq and Mohammad Irfan Shah. It was only after the Minister assured to sympathetically consider their demands that these NC MLAs returned to their seats.
Keeping in view the concern expressed by MLA Basohli, Jagdish Sapolia, Speaker directed the Minister to consider opening of Fire and Emergency Station in Basohli also.
Earlier, PDF MLA Hakeem Mohd Yaseen demanded framing of proper policy to end discrimination with certain areas in opening of Fire and Emergency Station while as JKNPP MLA from Samba, Yash Pal Kundal demanded fire station at Utterbehni. Another NPP MLA Harshdev Singh demanded fire stations at Tehsil and Block levels.
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