Oppn members stage walk out as Chairman disallows voting

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 30: Entire Opposition today staged protest in the Legislative Council and members (Cong-NC) walked out of the House as the Acting Chairman Jahangir Hussain Mir disallowed voting on the private members resolution regarding empowerment of Panchayats.
The members from National Conference and Congress held strong protest in the House and demanded that resolution be put to vote properly. They claimed that issue was of utmost importance as it pertains to strengthening of the grass- root level democratic institutions and also providing powers to the Sarpanchs and Panchs.
The private member’s resolution was moved in the Upper House by the Congress Legislator, Sham Lal Bhagat stating that “This House resolves that in order to save the precious wealth of the green gold in the State, Panchs and Sarpanchs should be empowered and involved in the security of forests.”
The Congress members who represent Panchayats in the House forcefully favoured the resolution and said that this would be a step to further strengthen the Panchayats in the State. Ghulam Nabi Monga, Dr Shehnaz Ganai and several other members supported the resolution and pressed for the passage of this resolution. Minister for Rural Development, Abdul Haq Khan replied to the resolution and claimed that PDP-BJP Government was already committed for the strengthening of the Panchayats and several measures have already been taken for the protection of Forests besides Forest Territorial staff Forest Protection Force (FPF) has been raised for the protection of the green gold.
The Minister after giving detailed reply asked the Congress member to withdraw the resolution but he pressed for the same. The Acting Chairman when put to vote some of the members went for voice vote and a few raised hands and the Chairman declared that resolution stand defeated. As most of the opposition members realized the lapse, they stood up and stressed that the resolution be put to vote properly and heads be counted. The chairman rejected their plea. They continuously pressed for voting but the Chairman did not succumb to their pleas. Then they got agitated and started protest. They objected that it was unethical and undemocratic. They also alleged that the chairman should not have one sided approach. Amidst slogans and protests then they staged walk out.
Another resolution moved by Naresh Gupta from BJP pertaining to creation of separate Ministry, called Chenab Valley Affairs Department was defeated while a resolution moved by PDP member Firdous Ahmed Tak, regarding strengthening of cross LoC trade and travel besides removing the bottlenecks in this regard, was withdrawn by the Member after getting assurance from the Minister and directive from the Acting Chairman.

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