BJP MLA says NC-Cong regime was better than present Govt

Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Jan 16: The ruling coalition  had to face a major embarrassment in the Legislative Assembly when BJP MLA Choudhary Sukhnandan described the previous NC-Congress regime better than the incumbent Government.
Alleging discrimination with Jammu, he accused the Government of being insensitive towards the plights of  farmers and even turning deaf ear to his voice for highlighting the grievances of  aggrieved people.
“Aap Logon  Se To Purani Sarkar Acchi Thi, Jo Hamari Baat Ko Sunti Thi Aur Problems Ko Hal Bhi Karti Thi ( previous Government was better than this one as they listened to our problems and solved the same)”,  said  the two time BJP MLA bringing thumping applause from the opposition benches.
While participating in the general discussion on Budget 2018-19, Choudhary Sukhnandan alleged discrimination with Jammu and  said that the Finance Minister gave so much  of relief to the Kashmir centric Horticulture and other sectors  but Jammu farmers were completely ignored  as noting was announced for promotion of Agriculture here.
The BJP MLA got  annoyed  when the Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu was about to leave the House even as the former was highlighting  general grievances of the farming community in Jammu.
“If you don’t want to listen, let me stop the speech,” said Choudhary Sukhnandan  after getting no response of the  Finance Minister on his plea to remain in the House  and listen to his concerns with regard to plights of farmers.
Apparently echoing  sentiments of common workers of his party, the BJP MLA  went to the extent of saying  that he was very happy to be in opposition during the previous Government when he used to raise the issues of  Jammu farmers.  “The previous Government was better than this Government as they listened to our concerns and address the same.  I was happy when I was in opposition,” he said.
The embarrassing remarks of  the own party  Legislator amidst thumping applause from the opposition benches left the ruling coalition  Members red faced in the House.
Alleging that  the  Finance Minister had totally ignored vital agriculture sector in  his Budget speech, .the BJP MLA said, “this is your fourth Budget but you focused on Kashmir region only. You abolished  toll on apple being exported outside from Kashmir but  forgot Basmati  rice, which is  grown here in Jammu. You have been appeasing one section but ignoring  the other.”
Sukhnandan also drew attention towards the irrigation concern of the farmers and said that  the month of January was  about to end but de-silting of canals was  yet to begin.
The BJP MLA also warned a stir against the alleged Government move of acquiring their land for Ring Road without paying them adequate compensation. “Don’t force farmers of borders for agitation. Don’t forcibly acquire their land. . They are not NHM workers who would leave dharna site. I will join and fight for them till my last breath,” he warned while taking a dig at the Government.
Former Finance Minister and Independent MLA Pawan Gupta also pooh-poohed the budget proposals describing the same as jugglery of words by the Finance Minister.
While participating in the budget discussion, he accused the Finance Minister of trying to befool everyone by manipulating the inflated figures. Quoting previous budgets, he sought to explain the mismatch between the projected figures and the actual ones.
Pawan Gupta alleged discrimination with Jammu region in  the budget proposals and  said that the Government was encouraging non-inclusive  development.  Giving  examples, he said that incentives  on silk industry were announced for Kashmir whereas Jammu division,  especially Udhampur district is the highest producer of Cocoon and has healthy potential for successful operations in the sector.  He also accused the Government of ignoring  sapphire  and gypsum industry in Jammu division.
The MLA also sought resignation of all the Vice-Chairpersons of  22 State Corporations as their functioning as well as drawing salary from the Government were  in violation  of the Company Laws. “What is the professional qualification of these VCs, who are additional burden on the already loss incurring Pubic Sector Undertakings?”, he asked.
Besides, the MLA  stressed on urgent attention of the Government towards upgrading power infrastructure in the State and electrifying the un-electrified far off hamlets of the State.  He  drew attention towards certain issues that  need action on the part of the Government. He asked  the Government to take  measures for development and promotion of tourism in Jammu region besides upgrading tourism infra at various tourist spots in the region.

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