BJP demands House Committee for probe
*Rather says concerns of members genuine
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 1: Sports Minister Satish Sharma was today grilled in the Legislative Assembly by several MLAs including one of the allies of the National Conference for what they called “irrational allocation” of funds for construction of sports stadiums in the Assembly constituencies.
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As Satish Sharma finished his written reply to the question of Thannamandi MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, an ally of ruling National Conference, Khan was on his feet and wanted to know what criteria has been adopted by the Minister for financial allocation to the Assembly constituencies for construction of sports stadiums.
“Why my area has been given just Rs 20 lakh while another constituency got Rs 5 crore”? Khan asked.
BJP legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia said 10 Assembly constituencies including Chenani, Ramgarh and Jasrota (represented by the BJP) have not been given any financial allocations.
“Even Kupwara and Uri have been given zero allocations,” an agitated Mankotia said. BJP MLAs Rajiv Jasrotia and Pawan Gupta were also on their feet.
Mankotia said they repeatedly urged the Minister and even gave him in writing for development of stadiums in their constituencies but their demands were ignored while some constituencies were given allocations ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 20 crore.
“A House Committee should be set up and half-an-hour long discussion should be held on the issue,” he added.
Another BJP MLA RS Pathania said this has put a question mark on the Government as to what criteria they have adopted for allocation of funds.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo intervened saying the question pertained to specific areas and there was no scope for discussing allocations of entire J&K.
“From where the Minister will have reply”? she asked.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened saying the MLA has sought constituency-wise details and this covers entire UT.
Sensing members’ concerns, Rather said the demands for grants of every Department have been discussed in the Assembly.
“I have also read the reply. Concerns of the members are genuine. The Minister should look if injustice has been done with the constituencies and overcome it. If this can’t be rectified now, the Minister should take care of emotions of the legislators next time,” the Speaker said.
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