Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 18: Members of Opposition parties in the Legislative Assembly today took on A R Rather, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs as well as Ajay Sadhotra, the Minister for Planning and Development, during discussion on grants of their departments.
Issues of alleged discrimination in allocation of funds and planning, complete prohibition in J&K etc echoed in the House while some members were seen exchanging allegations and counter allegations.
BJP Legislature Party leader Ashok Khajuria demanded Union Territory Status to Ladakh and provincial councils for Jammu and Kashmir. As a member from the treasury benches sought to raise the issue of sub-regions, he accused the ruling coalition of trying to create a divide on the name of Chenab Valley, Paharis, etc.
“You (ruling alliance) will not succeed in dividing Jammu. There is only one region and that is Jammu region,” he said.
Asking the Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra to come out of Marh constituency, Mr Khajuria demanded justice with other constituencies in respect of developmental schemes and funds.
JKNPP Legislature Party leader Harshdev Singh accused the State Government of collecting taxes from Jammu but spending the same in Kashmir Valley. “Of the total taxes, 76 percent are generated from Jammu through VAT, toll Excise, Passengers tax, Motor Spirit etc and only 24 percent of the taxes come from Valley whereas the picture is reverse in respect of expenditures as 75 percent is spent in Valley and only 25 percent in Jammu,” he explained and stressed that every region should be given equitable share.
Reiterating his suggestion of abolishing Upper House, Mr Singh said that that the money so saved could be given to elected Sarpanchs and for creating employment. He also mentioned that 22 States in India have no Upper House while the United Kingdom was also contemplating to abolish the House of Lords.
He also demanded downsizing of the ministry as per the norms set by the Government of India for avoiding un-necessary burden on the State exchequer.
PDP MLA A R Veeri alleged that credibility of the Coalition Government was at its lowest ebb due to its failure on all fronts. “Many Centrally sponsored schemes are closed due to non-availability of State share while district plans have been reduced by 25 percent,” he said adding that future of unemployed youth was most uncertain in the present regime.
Further, he alleged, there was no provision of money for MRI and SC scan machines in District Hospital as well as for daily wagers and labourers in J&K where every fifth person was Below Poverty Line.
The PDP leader also sought to know the progress on recovery of Rs 1147 crore from Sales Tax defaulters.
Demanding complete prohibition in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP MLA Jugal Kishore alleged that the Government was encouraging liquor consumption in the State. Pointing out that several developmental works were stuck, he asked the Planning Department not to discrimination with some constituencies.
He also highlighted the issues of shortage of staff in Government schools, non-availability of medicines in the Health Centres, VDCs, SPOs etc and asked the Government to listen to the grievances of protesting daily wagers.
JSM MLA Ashwani Sharma also strongly raised the issue of illegal sale and consumption of liquor. He alleged that the Department of Excise was not working effectively to keep a check on illegal serving of liquor during the private parties.
Mr Sharma also grilled the Finance Minister for not adopting the austerity measures, which were announced by the Government for avoiding wasteful expenditure. “Fleets of vehicles provided to the ministers and luxury cars for the officers speak of reality on this front,” he said.
Alleging discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions, Prof Chaman Gupta raised the issue of hindrance in completion of developmental works due to inadequate funds. Justifying his point that the State was on mercy of Central funds, he also passed some remarks, which were however expunged by the Speaker Mubarak Gul after Ajay Sadhotra lodged his protest over the comment on former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Terming Ladakh as a strategic area in view of its border with China, Prof Gupta demanded special attention to the region and a separate Divisional Commissioner for Ladakh.
He also demanded rationalizing of VAT charges at par with the neighbouring States and a review of the ceiling on grant of maximum Rs 15 lakh from CDF for a project.
Mohd Yusuf Tarigami alleged adhocism in Planning and demanded that State Planning Board must be constituted for proper distribution of funds. He also stressed the need to make District Development Boards more relevant. Maintaining that financial autonomy would not come without source mobilization for revenue generation, Mr Tarigami suggested some measures for the same and said that neo-rich should contribute more.
Dr Mustafa Kamal of NC suggested that money should have been kept to remove doubts on the creation of new administrative units.
Stressing the need for a food processing revolution in the State, he also raised the issue of taking Dal dweller and person visiting the world famous lake.
P Namgyal, Congress MLA from Nobra, said that the Government should close down the Department of Ladakh Affairs, which has been rendered virtually defunct without any work. Not even a single file is routed through the Department while the Special Secretary, who is heading it, has no work,” he alleged and demanded more powers to the Department for effective functioning.
Seeking to know about the Special Task force funding, Mr Namgyal stressed that Ladakh should not be considered population wise but area wise during allocation of funds. He also demanded preference to locals in the recruitment of forces.
Nizam-ud-Din Bhat of PDP accused the Finance Minister of misleading the House by jugglery of words and said that there was no clarity on sources of generating revenue.
Syeed Bashir of PDP grilled the Government for giving additionalities on political considerations and alleged that his question on Expert Committee was not replied in the cut motion.
Independent MLA Er Rashid demanded a white paper on sources of tax generation to clarify the misconception that Jammu pays more and Valley less. Alleging that Jammu was getting more power under essential supply, he threatened to gherao the residence of Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra if discrimination with Kashmir is not stopped. National Conference MLA Rashpal Singh appreciated the Finance Minister for equal treatment to all the regions and sub-regions in distribution of funds. Claiming that enough developmental works have taken place in Poonch and Rajouri, he, however demanded more funds for the twin border districts.
JKNPP MLA Yashpal Kundal raised the issue of pendency in distribution of scholarships while Zulfikar of PDP alleged violation of State Constitution by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, which was using separate flag and logo.
Ashok Kumar of Congress also raised some local issue.
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