Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 30: The PDP-led State Government had to face an awkward moment in the Legislative Assembly today when its coalition partner BJP opposed a bill seeking amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Alienation of Land Act and Transfer of property Act, aimed at preventing transfer of land to non-state subjects.
Following resentment by BJP members, the Government was forced to refer the bill to the Select Committee for further discussion even though the Opposition, including National Conference (NC), Congress, CPI (M) and Independent Er Abdul Rashid, said it will vote in favour of the bill if it was tabled in the House.
The bill was sent to the Committee after Minister for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation Basharat Bukhari moved the motion prompting Opposition to stage a walkout.
The PDP-BJP Government had yesterday introduced the bill in the Assembly but two BJP MLAs, R S Pathania and Dr D K Manyal moved an amendment, seeking that the bill be referred to a Select Committee. Rajiv Jasrotia (BJP) and Pawan Gupta (Independent) wanted the bill to be dropped.
The bill was aimed at plugging any legal loopholes in the Transfer of Property Act that would ensure that no land is transferred to non-state subjects in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pathania while speaking in favour of more detailed discussion on the bill saying that it should not be passed in hurry. He demanded that it should be referred to Select Committee and wide publicity should be given to it so that it is debated in public before any final decision be taken by the House.
Jasrotia said that the move to incorporate the proposed clause by virtue of present amendment shall have nationwide repercussions and does not suit the interests of the State. He said that the economy of the State depends upon the support and investment of outsiders. While stressing that the bill should not be passed, he said that the State would not suffer losses economically but also in terms of employment as well.
MLA Javed Beg of PDP supported the BJP members concern and said that the Bill should not be passed in hurry. He said that the concerns of the BJP MLAs are genuine and it should be addressed before the Bill is passed.
However, MLA Altaf Bukhari called for a vote on the bill and said that it should be passed. “Majority of the House favoured the bill. It should be passed. Rejecting it will be mockery of the House. It has to be put to vote. House cannot be taken to hostage,” he said.
The opposition members from National Conference, Congress and CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami shouted slogans against the Government, demanding the bill be put to vote.
Tarigami said it was an almost unprecedented move that the entire opposition is supporting a Government bill but the treasury benches decide to send it to the Select Committee. “What are the motives behind this move? I hope it is not an attempt to play with the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed under Constitution of India,” he added.
When the Opposition cornered the Government and created ruckus in the House, Social Welfare Minister, Sajad Lone, said that in a democratic set up, the members in the House can discuss the bill. “Don’t belittle democracy and this House. A democratic set up gives space to accommodate differing aspirations and opinions,” he said.
However, the Opposition was unrelenting. At this point, NC leader and former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who pushed the bill for vote, said that majority of the members in the House support the bill. “Don’t send it to Select Committee,” he said.
“Your Ministers in the Cabinet have no experience. They don’t know how to read the bills. You brought the bill in hurry and later when BJP realised that they have committed a mistake, they began a fixed match with PDP,” Omar said.
However, PWD Minister A R Veeri objected to Omar’s “no experience” assertion. “You are insulting us. I am a senior member of the House. I am as senior as Ali Mohammad Sagar. I cannot tolerate insult to my respect,” Veeri said.
Later, Omar told the House that if he has hurt any member by his remarks, he “suo moto” takes then back.
Angered by the bill being sent to Select Committee, Opposition walked out of the House, shouting slogans against the Government. Talking to reporters outside the Assembly, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that “today is the blackest day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. PDP has succumbed to BJP pressure to kill the bill”.
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