CEO cancels GCM inviting criticism from Chairman
*Khan claims he still enjoys majority in House
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 9: In another political development in Kargil district, six Councillors each from BJP and Congress have moved no-confidence motion against Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil Chairman Feroz Khan while the administration cancelled General Council Meeting (GCM) of the LAHDC inviting sharp criticism from Khan who charged that it will hamper developmental works.
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Khan, a former Minister and senior National Conference leader, insisted that he enjoyed majority with 16 members in his support (10 from National Conference and six Independent Councillors) in the House of 30. Further, he declared that he was ready to face no-trust vote but resented cancellation of the GCM on the ground that district Kargil has limited working season and the GCM called by him was aimed at finalization of developmental works.
“It is wrong on part of the administration to cancel the GCM,” Khan said.
Initially, only six BJP members had moved no confidence motion against National Conference headed Council while now six Congress Councillor have also moved no trust motion taking total strength to 12.
It may be mentioned here that at least 10 members (one-third of total strength of the Council) can move no confidence motion against the Council.
Though the BJP has seven Councillors, only six have moved no-trust vote as one of the members Mohsin Ali, who is Executive Councillor in the LAHDC Kargil in the rank of Minister, has sided with the National Conference.
In his order, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) LAHDC Kargil Santosh Sukhdeve said six Councillors each of the BJP and the Congress have intimated separately withdrawal of their support from the present dispensation and it would not be appropriate to go ahead with the GCM till the position of all the councillors is cleared.
Khan had convened the GCM of LAHDC Kargil for discussion and approval of the draft Capital Expenditure Budget 2022-23 but the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Santosh Sukhdeve announced the postponement of the meeting.
Objecting to the decision to put off the meeting, Khan said it will hamper development works in the region and demanded an immediate floor test for smooth functioning of the Hill Council.
In his order, Sukhdeve also said six Councillors each of BJP and Congress have requested for initiating process under Section 27(2) of the LAHDC Act.
Section 27(2) of the LAHDC provides that the Chairman may be removed from office by a resolution carried by a majority of the total number of members at a special meeting of the Council called for the purpose upon a requisition made in writing by not less than one-third of such members of the Council.
“Whereas, keeping in view the political developments in LAHDC, Kargil, it would not be appropriate to go ahead with the GCM till the position of all the Councillors is cleared with regard to their support to the present dispensation,” the order said, adding keeping in view the unprecedented situation, the GMC is hereby postponed till further notice.
Earlier on March 30, the BJP withdrew its support to the National Conference and recommended the dissolution of the Council.
“I am ready for the floor test as I have the numbers…the decision to postpone the GCM was not right because the BJP and Congress Councillors have not sought the postponement of the GCM but requested for initiation of process under Section 27(2) of the LAHDC. Both are two different things,” Feroz Khan said.
He said the postponement of the GCM will impact the developmental work besides recruitment and other day-to-day activities of the Council meant for the public welfare.
“We have a limited working season and, therefore, I request the administration to immediately call for the floor test for smooth functioning of the Hill Council. The developmental activities should not hamper in the district,” Khan said.
He said the National Conference had no alliance with either the BJP or the Congress, so their talk of withdrawing support to the Chair is technically incorrect.
Among the 26 elected members of the LAHDC-Kargil, 10 are from the National Conference, eight from the Congress, seven the BJP (including one rebel) and five Independents.
The 2018 elections to the Council had produced a hung verdict.
After the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the NC and the Congress fell out. The NC then entered into a coalition with the BJP which has seven Councillors.
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