3-month
free ration for drought affected people:
Azad
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 9: Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the
Government has decided to provide free
ration for three months to people in the
erstwhile district of Doda and some parts
of Udhampur and Kathua districts where
dry spell had caused 80 percent to 90
percent damage to crops.
Intervening
during the discussion on motion of thanks
on the Governor’s Address in the
Legislative Assembly here today, the
Chief Minister said that perhaps for the
first time in a century the old district
of Doda, now comprising three districts
of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, suffered an
acute dry spell this year even as other
parts in Jammu and Kashmir had bumper
crops.
The Chief
Minister said that the matter was raised
by legislators who also held sit-in to
highlight the plight of the people in
these areas on account of the
indifference of the weather. He said the
government set up a Committee to
undertake a survey of the affected areas
that reported 80 percent to 85 percent
damage to crops in the erstwhile Doda
district. At some places, he said, the
damage was reported to be up to 90
percent.
He said
the Committee also found that some areas
in Udhampur and Kathua districts
bordering the un-divided Doda district
had also suffered damages due to dry
spell. Accordingly, the government
decided to provide free ration for three
months to the affected people whose crops
suffered damages from 80 percent to 90
percent.
Mustafa
favours Jha, Nehru like persons to probe
militancy
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 9: National
Conference leader Dr Sheikh Mustafa
Kamal, the only scion of Abdullah family
in the present Assembly, said today that
the Centre, Congress and PDP leader Mufti
Mohd Sayeed can’t escape the
responsibility of wiping out of an entire
generation in nearly two decades long
violence in the State.
"NC
never put the people in problems but
instead saved them. It was the Centre,
Congress and Mufti Sayeed who can’t
escape the responsibility of over one
lakh killings that wiped out an entire
generation and spoiled hundreds of
villages", Dr Kamal said in a hard
hitting speech in the Legislative
Assembly while participating in debate on
Governor’s Address, which continued
for second day today.
"Who
started militancy? Which are the hands
sustaining it? How is it alive years
after years? And, who is keeping it
alive? These are some of the questions
which need answers", he said and
demanded setting up of a Commission to go
into the reasons behind militancy to be
headed by persons of impeachable
integrity.
For
heading the Commission, the NC leader
mentioned the names of two former Jammu
and Kashmir Governors L K Jha and B K
Nehru. Heads of the Commission should be
like them as both had refused to dismiss
NC Government in 1977 and 1984 despite
strong pressures by Indira Gandhi and
Arun Nehru coterie. The Congress then had
to bring Jagmohan in 1984 to perform the
task, he claimed.
Describing
Governor’s Address as a "self
praised document", Mustafa Kamal
observed that it had repetition of words
of last four years.
Charging
the Government with politicisation of
degree colleges, he asserted that just
changing sign board of a school to
college has no meaning. "Mufti
Government did it and now Azad
Government, instead of rectifying the
mistake, has followed a similar approach
which will destroy our education
system", he lamented.
"Where
are the AIIMS type Institutes promised by
the Government in Jammu and Srinagar at
the cost of Rs 250 crore. Mangat Ram
Sharma (Health and Medical Education
Minister) had announced Rs 50 crore for
Lal Ded Hospital. Where are these
funds". One hundred and fifty
Primary Health Centres (PHCs) promised by
the Government are nowhere to be
seen", the NC leader said.
Instead,
he added, it was the NC which had during
just five years of its Government given
SKIMS, Lal Ded, Children Hospital, Bone
& Joint Hospital, Dental College,
Jammu and several other hospitals to the
State despite receiving meager funds.
Out of 5
bridges on Tawi river, four were
constructed by NC, Government Medical
College, Jammu, By-Pass, Bagh-e-Bahu,
Abhinav theatre, SKUAST, Patnitop and
Mansar all goes to NC’s credit, he
said.
"The
present Government even after receiving
Rs 700 crore for power has spent only Rs
200 crore. It was the NC Government which
gave Uri project in just 5 years and
would have even given Baglihar project in
2003 had it not lost power in 2002",
Dr Kamal asserted.
"It
was bad on part of the Government for
giving such an Address to the Governor to
read", he said.
Participating
in debate, Congress MLA from Gandhi
Nagar, Raman Bhalla said the Congress
victory in Poonch by-election has proved
that it was due to works done by the
Congress Government that its candidate
won the election. He credited Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad with approving
several districts and tehsils and
visiting all of them to listen to the
people’s problems.
Panthers
Party MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia charged
the Government with failure to tackle
unemployment and general self employment
during last three years. Alleging rampant
corruption in Government, he claimed that
no SSP has been posted in Udhampur and it
was "talk of the town" that
amount being asked for the post was
"very high".
Mr
Mankotia charged the district
administration in Udhampur with harassing
Government employees related to Panthers
Party leaders and workers. He criticised
the Education Department’s policy of
deployment which had resulted into
shortage of staff in several schools.
BJP MLA
Jugal Kishore said the corruption was on
rise in all spheres of Government. The
Chief Minister had himself stated that
the administration spent only Rs 100
crore as against Rs 5000 crore brought by
him from the Centre, he pointed out.
Mr Kishore
said the Government departments were not
taking up projects for construction.
Deputy
Speaker reprimands NC MLA Shariq levels
corruption charges against Govt
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 9: Deputy Speaker,
Mohammed Akbar Lone today reprimanded the
NC MLA, Sharif -u-Din Shariq saying that
the corruption charges leveled by the
member against the ruling alliance in
Public Health Engineering (PHE) should
not be only for the sake of allegations.
Mr Lone,
asked the member that before leveling the
allegations, he should have the proof
about them. The MLA, who was
participating in the debate on
Governor’s address ,this afternoon,
came down heavily on coalition Government
and alleged that money was taken in
exchange for appointment as need based
workers in PHE Department.
This was
contested by the Minister of PHE,
Irrigation and Flood Control, Dilawar Mir
who sought a specific information from
the member in this regard. The MLA, while
terming the appointment of workers in PHE
on need basis a total mockery, said what
is the utility of appointing a daily
wager from one district in another
district.
Leveling
wild allegations against the Government,
Shariq said leaving the Government’s
performance and Governor’s address
aside, is not this a fact that some
people have grabbed the land and the
Government has failed to initiate action
against them.
He said
even the coalition ministers are involved
in land grabbing and the Government is
fully aware of it. The MLA said in case
the Government has no information about
the same , then he can provide it and
demanded that ministers who are involved
in land grabbing be unmasked. Intrupting
him, Abdul Majid Wani of ruling alliance
asked the MLA to produce the list .
Speaking
in favour of Governor’s address,
PDP, MLA from Bijbehara, Abdul Rehman
Veeri termed the decisions taken by
coalition during last five years as
historical.
On much
talked about human rights violations in
the state, he said, it was the coalition
Government which made police and security
forces accountable and dismantled the
walls of hatred between India and
Pakistan by resuming bus services.
Whenever there was a conflict between
India and Pakistan, Kashmiris suffered
most, he added.
Veeri said
there is total change now and Kashmir is
going to become an international trade
centre. He termed the opening of two
Muslim universities one in Jammu and
another in Kashmir as well as Mata
Vaishno Devi University a great
achievement and added that those who
oppose expansion of educational
institutions have no concept of
J&K’s topography.
Hailing
the achievements of the Government,
Congress MLA, Sham Lal Sharma said many
welfare schemes and projects were
completed while on other projects the
work is in progress.
He said
the achievements of five year’s of
coalition rule are much more than that of
NC which ruled the state for maximum
period. While giving the account of the
performance of Government, he said routes
were opened with Pakistan, new
universities and colleges besides a large
number of schools were opened in the
state.
Criticizing
the Governor’s address, the NC MLA
Mohammed Aslam Khan said "we
boycotted the Governor’s address
because we know that this
Government’s attitude is
undemocratic.
Terming
the peace process a drama, he said
turmoil still continues and in case the
efforts were not made to accelerate the
peace process the people’s problems
will increase. The Government has failed
to contain corruption and its claims
proved hollow, he added.
Sajjad
Kichloo of NC also criticized the
Governor’s address alleging that
Government has failed to fulfill the
promises made in Common Minimum Programme
(CMP). He said claims made about opening
of Muzaffarabad road, providing
employment to two members of each family
and 24 hour power supply have been proved
totally hollow.
Kanta
Andotra of Congress, while hailing
Government’s performance said many
achievements were made in last five years
of coalition rule and pending projects
will be completed in remaining period.
This
Government is working in the interests of
the people and containing of militancy is
its great achievement.
Abdul Gani
Malik of NC, while opposing the
Governor’s address termed it nothing
except a budget speech. He alleged this
Government has poorest results in
achievements throughout the country and
in implementation of schemes the
injustice was done with the people of
J&K.
Mohammed
Khalil Naik of CPI (M) opposed the
Governor’s address saying the claims
made regarding development are not seen
on ground. But Jahangir Mir of Congress
hailed the Governor’s address and
praised the coalition for restoring
normalcy in the state.
NC’s
Dr Chaman Lal opposed the Governor’s
address and Gh. Raza of Congress hailed
it.
Sidelights—Assembly
*
"Chor Ki Darhi Mein Tinka"
(self guilty) were the remarks of NPP MLA
Balwant Singh Mankotia when he just
referred to recently held Poonch election
but some Congress members tried to
counter him that election was free and
fair. "I have not said anything yet
on rigging but the self guilty Congress
members want to clarify", he said.
*
"Chor Ki Darhi Hi Naheen Hai To
Tinka Kahan Se", scoffed NC MLA
Sharief-ud-Din Shariq.
*"Mein
Aapka Purana Sathi Raha Hoon, Aapko Bhi
Accommodate Karoonga (I have been your
old friend. I will accommodate you
too)", remarked PHE, Irrigation and
Flood Control Minister, Dilawar Mir in
response to a query by NC MLA Ali Mohd
Sagar during Question Hour. It may be
recalled that Mr Mir had resigned from
NC, contested election from Rafiabad on
PDP mandate and became the Minister.
* The word
‘Chilana’ (crying) be expunged.
This was the demand of NC MLA Ajay
Sadhotra when Agriculture Minister Abdul
Aziz Zargar charged him with
‘chilana’ (crying) on a
question of fertilisers.
* As both
Mr Zargar and Mr Sadhotra offered to
resign if their charges on availability
of fertiliser to farmers were proved
incorrect, Mr Sagar demanded that a House
Committee be set up to see who will
resign.
* When NPP
MLA Harshdev Singh was speaking of seats
reserved for SCs in Lok Sabha after fresh
delimitation, NC MLA Mushtaq Bukhari said
Ramnagar (the constituency of Harshdev)
will also be reserved. "I will win
from Surankote (the constituency of
Bukhari)", retorted Mr Singh.
*
"Sarkar Bhi Dokha Karti Hai,
Opposition Bhi. In Donon Ki Dosti Hai
(the Government and Opposition both cheat
us)", remarked NPP MLA Balwant Singh
Mankotia when Mr Rather came to rescue of
the Government on Delimitation
Commission.
*
"Kursi Jane Ke Baad Yaad Aayi SCs Ki
(after losing chair, you have come to
know of SCs problems)", remarked
most vocal NC MLA and former
Parliamentarian, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq
when Harshdev Singh wanted increase in
SCs reserved seat after Delimitation
Commission.
*
"Boli Wahut Zayada Hai (the rates
are very high)", NPP MLA Balwant
Singh Mankotia remarked in the House
saying the post of SSP Udhampur was lying
vacant for 4 months and it was talk of
the town that no police officer was ready
to pay such a huge amount.
Public
importance issues raised during Zero Hour
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 9: Various issues of
public importance were raised during Zero
Hour in the Legislative Assembly.
Mushtaq
Ahmad Bukhari demanded ST status to
Pahari speaking people while Dr Manohar
Lal raised the issue of un-employed ITI
trained and Physical Education degree
holders.
Javid Rana
demanded revenue survey to be conducted
for identification of BPL beneficiaries
while Kanta Andotra demanded fire station
at Bani-Bilawar.
Khem Lata
Wukhloo demanded bifurcation of ration
cards of Kashmiri Pandit migrants and
disbursement of relief as per court
orders while Shanti Devi demanded
immediate registration of the women under
National Benefit Pension Scheme soon
after the death of their husbands.
Mir
Saif-ullah, and Qaiser Jamsheed Lone
demanded provision of basic amenities in
Kupwara district and restoration of
electricity and roads in the district
blocked and damaged by recent snowfall
while as Dr Ghulam Nabi Bhat demanded the
relief to the hailstorm affected of Tral
area.
Mangat Ram
Sharma Minister for Health and Medical
Education, intervening on the issue, said
that Divisional Commissioner Kashmir
would be asked to visit Kupwara district
and assess the situation that has arisen
due to the heavy snowfall.
Yogesh
Sawhney demanded extension in winter
vacation for schools of Jammu region in
view of severe cold while Ali Mohammad
Sagar demanded setting up of Degree
College at Magam and compassionate
appointment of the next of the kin of
Zahoor Ahmad Mir of Magam.
Mubarak
Gul demanded improvement of road
connectivity facilities in Idd Gah
constituency and Kafil-ul-Rehman urged
for release of payment to the labourers
who were engaged for snow clearance on
Karna roads during winter 2007.
Dr Mustafa
Kamal invited the attention of Government
towards frequent blockade of National
Highway on account of rains and snow
while as Suman Bhagat demanded
introduction of Urdu language in
educational institutions of Jammu
division.
Abdul
Majid Wani demanded improvement and
augmentation of water supply schemes in
Doda while Mohammad Sartaj Madni demanded
re-organization of Physical Education
Department and absorption of physical
education degree holders under
Rehbar-e-Khel scheme on the pattern of
Rahbar-e-Taleem.
M Y
Tarigami demanded regularization of
contractual appointees. He stressed on
formulating a comprehensive employment
policy and called for working out a
strategy to absorb engineering,
agriculture graduates and other degree
holders.
Mian Altaf
Ahmad demanded setting up of Degree
Colleges at Sonawari and Kangan while
Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo demanded setting up
of University campus at Kishtwar.
Nazir
Ahmad Gurezi demanded Helicopter service
from Bandipora to Gurez for stranded
passengers while Mohammad Aslam Khan
demanded helicopter for shifting stranded
Hajis from Srinagar to Rajouri.
Dr Mehboob
Baig demanded allotment of plots at
Fatehgarh colony Anantnag to those who
have deposited their money while as A R
Veeri demanded for completion of school
buildings in Kashmir division.
Dr Chaman
Lal advocated for enhancement of ration
quota to the draught hit people in Ramban
while Sharif-ud-Din Shariq advocated for
enhancement of salaries in favour of
graduate nurses working in Health
Department.
Malik
Abdul Gani demanded filling up of vacant
posts at various levels across the State
and Narboo pleaded for providing
sufficient facilities of drinking water
in the State especially in Ladakh region.
Th Puran Singh raised the same issue.
Jahingir
Mir demanded permission to the border
people for carrying agriculture
activities besides free movement.
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