Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: Assembly today witnessed uproar and proceedings of the Question Hour were disrupted for about 20 minutes as MLAs, including some from Ruling party, protested over delay in snow clearing operation and poor power supply situation and problems being faced by the people in the wake of heavy snowfall in Kashmir valley, erstwhile Doda district and Rajouri.
National Conference (NC) MLA Mian Altaf raised the issue of power crisis, which was supported by CPI-M MLA MY Tarigami, alleging that there was grave power crisis in Kashmir and people were facing difficult situation.
Following this, all the Opposition members stood up and protested over the Government’s failure to provide uninterrupted power supply in this extreme cold weather conditions.
They were also joined by some of the ruling party members who demanded restoration of essential services in Kashmir after snowfall.
Shouting slogans against the Mehbooba Mufti-Government, they demanded uninterrupted power supply, clearance of snow from roads and connect all areas closed due to snowfall.
PDP MLA from Rajouri said several areas of the district were in darkness and demanded immediate restoration of power supply.
Another PDP MLA Raja Manzoor said several areas of his constituency were under 17 feet snow and the Government should make arrangements for airlifting students for exams.
BJP MLA from Doda Shakti Parihar said many roads of his constituency have been cut off due to snow and should be restored.
CPM member MY Tarigami said people of Kulgam were suffering badly as there is a complete breakdown in the electricity grid in the district.
He demanded the Government to take steps to mitigate the power problems in Kashmir.
Congress MLA from Banihal Viqar Rasool said 13 houses have been destroyed in Mahu Mangat area and demanded compensation for the victims. His party colleague from Inderwal, GM Saroori demanded arrangements for the people rendered houseless in snowfall.
Altaf Ahmad Wani, NC MLA from Pahalgam said 50 houses in his constituency have been damaged. He demanded compensation for the people and clearance of snow from roads.
Minister for Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri said the Government has directed all the Deputy Commissioners concerned to carry out snow clearing operations on war-footing and ensure restoration of electricity in all the affected areas.
The Minister said ground staff of PDD and R&B Department was working round-the-clock to restore power supply and clear the roads in Kashmir.
Veeri said the Deputy Commissioners of all the snow-bound districts were supervising the restoration work. The Government has also pressed into service 18 snow clearing machines and 16 dewatering pumps in Srinagar, he added.
Several other members also raised the issue regarding restoration of essential services in Kashmir post-snowfall.
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