Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 28: After uproarious scenes in the Upper House over the alleged land grab by a People’s Democratic Party leader in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Chairman Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra today directed the Government to look into the conversion of agricultural land into commercial land.
As soon as the Upper House proceedings began today, ruling National Conference members rushed into the Well of the House urging the Chairman to constitute a House Committee into the alleged land grab by PDP’s candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections form Sonawari, Yasir Reshi.
“This is a very grave matter of land grab of 5000 kanals where the senior opposition party members like Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed are involved. I urge you, sir (the Chairman) to constitute a House Committee to lay bare the truth,” NC MLC, Bashir Ahmad Veeri said, while displaying purported documents of the land grab.
Veeri also alleged that entire PDP is involved in this land grab where a wetland is converted into a full fledged colony.
Hearing the accusations, PDP members rose from their seats and asked Veeri not to take the name of their leaders without any evidence.
“Your people are involved in this. That is why it pains you when we ask for forming a House Committee,” said Abdul Majeed Bhat, another legislator of NC, who also came into the Well.
Immediately, another NC MLC Ghulam Qadir Pardesi also joined his party members and began pleading before the Chair to constitute the Committee.
As the PDP members opposed the demand of the ruling party, Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra chipped in and rose from his seat.
“PDP members are making noise because their people are involved in the land grab. That is why they are opposing the formation of a House Committee,” Sadhotra said.
Angered by the allegations, PDP members joined the uproar and began shouting counter allegations.
Mohamamd Ashraf Mir of PDP rose from his seat and screamed toward the the NC members.
“Who sold out all the power projects and whole Gupkar road? Don’t take the name of our leaders here. You sold out whole the State and you are now shedding crocodile tears,” Mir said.
“I have to sign the letter. I can’t do illegal things. I have ruling with me. You are wasting the time of the House. I have sought details from the Government and taken note of it,” Amrit Malhotra told NC members.
In the din, Minister for Tourism, G A Mir, intervened and said this is a very grave issue where 4,000 kanals of land have been grabbed.
“This (land grab) is injustice with the people. It is a matter of concern and rising above politics those officers who are involved in it must be exposed. You (Chairman) can direct the Chief Secretary to check facts in the issue,” Mir said.
On this, Malhotra said it is not the matter of 4000 kanals but only of 72 kanals and he has asked for the details from the Revenue Department about it.
Another NC MLC, Devender Singh Rana urged chair to constitute a House Committee and put the facts before the House.
“Why can’t we have a House Committee in this serious issue. And there should be no issue with it. Let’s set the record straight and find what has happened,” Rana said.
Malhotra said this is not the way. “You are making the House a fish market,” he told NC members.
Witnessing the whole dispute and din, Minister for Revenue, Aijaz Ahmad Khan stood from his seat and informed the House that an application was received by his department by a land owner to covert the wetland into agriculture purpose which was granted as it is state policy to improve agriculture productivity.
“No facts are being concealed. They (NC members) are blowing up the issue,” he said.
Khan also said that another representation was received through another department to make a godown on the land which was out rightly rejected by the Revenue Department.
The Minister also said the department is ready to investigate and get a report if any individual is violating the agriculture laws.
“We will refer it to the Crime Branch to check the veracity of the documents (which Veeri was displaying),” he said.
When NC members blamed Khan that he was defending himself, he retorted: “I am defending your Government….You too are part of the Government.”
Amid the din, Chairman Malhotra directed Chief Secretary to ascertain the facts and inform the House.
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