Noisy scenes in Assembly; NC, BJP MLAs trade charges
House proceedings disrupted for 11 minutes
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 9: J&K Legislative Assembly today witnessed clash between Dy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary and Katra MLA Baldev Sharma over the issue of Katra Mata Vaishnodevi Ropeway project, followed by heated arguments between National Conference and BJP Members, protests from both sides leading to disruption in the House proceedings for about 11 minutes.
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Amidst noisy scenes, the members from both the sides traded charges and counter charges, resorted to high- pitched sloganeering. While BJP members were shouting slogans like, ‘Mining Chor Hai Hai….. Mining Mafia Hai Hai…..’ the members from National Conference raised slogans… ‘Chor Machaye Shor…. Chor Machaye Shor’…. etc.
This continued for several minutes and the repeated efforts of the Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather to restore order in the House failed. The Speaker later stood up from the seat and calmed the members from both the sides.
” You people are exposing yourself by resorting to such acts. Entire public is watching the proceedings of this House live. What impression you will be giving to the people who have sent you here to represent their issues. Enough time of this House has been wasted. Such things should be avoided,” the Speaker remarked.
The trouble started when Independent MLA from Bani Dr Rameshwar Singh while taking part in discussion on Budget referred to the protest by the people and traders/hoteliers/ Pithuwalls of Katra since long against the Katra-Mata Vaishnodevi Ropeway project. He said that this issue is connected with the religious sentiments of the people, livelihood of many poor people like Pithuwallas, Ponywallas, small traders and others. This project should be shelved in the larger interests of the people from Katra and the whole region.
Katra MLA from BJP, Baldev Sharma stood up and objected to the remarks of the Independent MLA from Bani and said that this project has been started after approval by the present Omar led Government and huge funds have been involved. The Modi Government wants massive development of Katra Mata Vaishnodevi and provide better facilities to the pilgrims coming here from various parts of the country and abroad.
Dy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary abruptly stood up and said no such cabinet meeting was ever held where approval was granted for the construction of Ropeway at Katra Mata Vaidshnodevi. He said the MLA had his vested interests and was telling lies. Sharma countered and said he had evidence of the Cabinet meeting and can produce the papers of such.
The Dy CM roared and said Omar Government never gave any such permission. This Government will do whatever is in the interest of the people of Katra and the Jammu and Kashmir. Calling MLA Baldev Sharma as “enemy of the people of Katra” Mata Vaishnodevi Constituency, Dy CM alleged that Katra MLA is more interested in his own business and own welfare and least bothered about the petty business/ trade of poor people of his constituency. He said the people will not spare him in the next elections.
” The local people including shopkeepers, Pithuwallas, Palkiwallas, Horsewallas are on protest since long. These people (BJP) do no dare to face them. Our people from NC went to them and assured that whatever will be in the larger interest of the people of Katra and J&K will happen. These people are the enemies of the local poor people whose livelihood is dependent on Yatra,” Choudhary asserted.
After this, BJP Member R S Pathania stood up and alleged that there is conflict of interests. Mining Mafia is looting the resources here. DyCM’s family is also involved in this business and part of this mafia. After this all the BJP members stood up and started shouting slogans against the Dy Chief Minister.
Another BJP MLA Dr Narinder Singh alleged that Mining Minister is responsible for loot and plunder of miner mineral in the region. He said his family is involved in the business. Many closed stone crushers have been allowed to operate. If these crusher are closed then how power bills are being generated.
Minister Satish Sharma also joined his cabinet colleague and traded charges against BJP Members. Soon all the NC members were on their toes, raising counter charges on the BJP Members including LOP. While one side raised slogans- `Mining Chor Hai Hai…..’ other side was heard saying…” Chor Machaye Shor….” It went on till Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather managed to restore order in the House.
Earlier, Bani MLA referred to the development ensured by Omar Govt in his constituency and said that several new projects have been sanctioned for his area. He demanded development of shrines and temples in Bani area. He attacked BJP and said BJP people claimed to have saved Rs 300 crore every year by stopping Darbar Move practice. BJP must tell where this money since 2019 has gone. He alleged that BJP only creates division in both the regions and Hindus and Muslims to grab votes.
NC Members Zafar Ali Khatana and Ali Mohd Dar supported budget presented in the House by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during discussion and highlighted the decisions taken by the Omar Govt in the context of Budget. They praised the decisions taken for the welfare of women, disabled persons, children, six free LPG cylinders to the poor and so on.
MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar, during discussion trained guns at the NC Government and alleged that they have deliberately avoided the development works in KIshtwar Constituency. The reason is that they (NC ) are unable to digest the win of man from poor and humble background in Paddar and a daughter of the martyrs family in Kishtwar.
She also launched attack on the NC leaders of the area alleging that their people are working in Hydel Power projects in Kishtwar and not even single man has been recommended by her or BJP leaders. She said many development projects in Marwah- Dachhan are not being allowed to be executed and no fresh were sanctioned due to revengeful attitude by the people at the helm of affaires. She demanded hike in the salary of MTS equivalent to those working in other UTs/ states, a Degree College in Dachhan.
Modi Govt has been moving with Mazbooti and not Mazboori like previous Govts. After 2014 there was `Ops Balakote’ and `Ops Sindhoor’. This Govt has given confidence to the people and taught a lesson to the neighbour, she asserted.
BJP MLA from Akhnoor, Mohan Lal strongly criticised the J&K Budget and described it “anti-people and anti-youth”. It has been disappointing for the general masses. Nothing was in the budget for daily wagers, Anganwadi and Asha werkers. Unemployed youth are feeling neglected. He said 66% our youth force in the country in the age group of 18-35 yrs should be engaged in various fields for the better development of the country. This is great asset of our country, he added.
Mohan Lal demanded development of water sport/ rafting in Akhnoor and Reasi in Chenab. He sought development of Kandi Canal, providing irrigation facilities to Akhnoor and Chhamb segments and construction of new bridge over Chenab. He asked Minister Satish Sharma in the House to tender apology as he has passed some unpleasant remarks against police.
Initiating the debate today, Legislator Dr Sajjad Shafi Uri described the Budget as the best possible within the resources available to the Government. He said that Budget reflects a balanced approach, addressing the key social welfare concerns while ensuring fiscal prudence.
He highlighted fee waivers for the students from economically weaker families, free transport facilities for the persons with disabilities among other things in the budget.
Legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani said that no decision should be taken without the consent of the concerned MLA. He stressed the need for upgradation of the Health sector in Anantnag district and raised concerns over the closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra.
Terming Article 370 as identity of J&K he said “We are alive because of Article 370 and we will get it back,”. While turning towards BJP MLAs he said “You can’t do anything”. He also stressed on promotion of tourism saying it is backbone of Kashmir.
Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia urged the Government to fulfil promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the need to address the issue of daily wagers.
Mankotia, while hailing the Indo-US trade deal termed it a great achievement of Narendra Modi Government and allayed fears that apple of Kashmir will be hit be this deal. He said India forced US to come on knees as deal was signed on Indian conditions. He said “When we succeeded in bringing US on knees those suggesting talks with Pakistan must understand that should we talk with starving and naked Pakistan”. On keeping Indus Water Treaty on hold, he hailed the PM for saying that “Blood and water can’t flow together”.
He said huge amount was saved due to digital India which was spent on transportation of filed from Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa.
He said BJP supports that no innocent Kashmiri should be harassed anywhere in the country but at the same time action needs to be taken against those who do unlawful or anti national activities. Mankotia also accused NC of deceiving people in its manifesto.
In his address, MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that industrial development should be a priority for the Government to create employment opportunities for the youth. He stressed that locals must be preferred for employment in industries set up in Jammu and Kashmir. He also raised the issues of daily wagers and persons with disabilities, seeking concrete measures to safeguard their rights and welfare.
Tarigami while rejecting assertion of BJP’s Mankotia on Indo-US Trade deal said Zero Tax on US goods shows that it was surrender and this will have worst impact on our agriculture and horticulture sector. He said Americans dictated us not to buy oil from Russia.
He urged members to look into the budget and suggest measures so that the people of UT can get relief. Contesting the claim made that GDP of UT has grown, he said though he has no rod to measure the same but asked has purchasing power of farmers, labour and widows increased?.
He said there were only hundred billionaires in 2014 and now their number has crossed over 200. “The Agri market in our country gets squeezed where our apple will go?” he asked?
MLA Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, said that the overall development and livelihoods of people in the region have been severely affected due to recent incidents. He appealed all Members of the House to maintain the decorum of the Assembly to ensure smooth and uninterrupted proceedings. He also demanded macadamization of roads, upgradation of tourism spots, filling of the vacant post of relief under KCC loans, establishment of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores and resolution of No Objection Certificate (NoC) issued by the Forest Department for road macadamization and upgradation in his constituency.
Participating in the debate, Legislator Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Congress welcomed enhancement of Marriage Assistance Schemes, Old Age Pension and support for specially-abled persons in the last budget.
Mir demanded regularization of daily wagers and need-based employees, whose attendance data is available through biometric systems. He also sought construction of the Anantnag-Doda road, establishment of an ITI institute, completion of the Receiving Station at Dhudwajan, compensation for crops under KCC and early conduct of Panchayati elections to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
He also contested claim of Mankotia on Indo -US Trade saying it will affect Agriculture and Horticulture Sector worst.
He also criticised BJP for opt repeating `Delhi schemes’ and said Central schemes were framed from Nehru’s time. “By sanctioning schemes in J&K Centre is not doing any special favour to us,,”. Centre takes our entire GST in their own kitty and hence they (BJP) should not mislead the House”, he added.
BJP MLA from Jammu West, Arvind Gupta, complimented the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team for defeating Madhya Pradesh and entering the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy for the first time in history.
He drew attention to what he described as “silent migration” from the Talab Tillo area of his constituency, claiming that many children had migrated abroad, leaving elderly residents behind.
Gupta also accused the NC Government of overlooking Jammu West after the floods in August and September last year and not properly assessing the losses suffered by people.
On tourism, he said the Chief Minister’s recent visits to four states focused mainly on Kashmir destinations, ignoring the tourism potential of the Jammu region.
He also demanded that a National Law University be established in Jammu and named after Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan.
BJP MLA from Bhaderwah, Daleep Singh Parihar, accused the National Conference of rigging the 1987 elections, which he said led to the rise of terrorism and targeted killings in hilly areas of the Jammu region.
He also sought waiver of Kisan Credit Card loans in view of the damage caused by last year’s floods.
NC MLA from Karnah-Tangdhar, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, said people in Kashmir were hurt by the developments of August 5, 2019, stating that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A had affected their identity.
He praised the Indian Army’s 104 Brigade for assisting people during natural disasters and cross-border incidents, and said several families affected by shelling during Operation Sindhoor were yet to be compensated.
He sought immediate relief for them and thanked the Centre and the UT Government for sanctioning the Sadhna Tunnel and granting ST-II status to people of his constituency.
NC MLA from Devsar, Peerzada Feroze Ahmad, praised the NC Government for announcing welfare measures for weaker sections and women, including free education, transport and six cylinders.
He blamed the PDP for forming an alliance with BJP, which he said led to the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
Congress MLA from Rajouri, Iftkar Ahmed, demanded bullet-proof ambulances for border areas, air ambulances for critical patients, and parity in salaries of MTS staff with other states and UTs.
He also sought land for flood-affected Gujjar-Bakerwal families and fast-tracking of recruitment against the promised 23000 jobs.
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