Claims, counter claims on Article 370 dominate discussion on Budget
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 10: Claims and counter claims on nature of erstwhile special status to Jammu Kashmir under Article 370 of Indian Constitution dominated general discussion on Budget as ruling National Conference and opposition BJP members fiercely contradicted each other amidst some verbal spars between them, here today.
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While the BJP members dubbed Article 370 as source of discrimination to Jammu people in every aspect, the NC legislators alleged plundering of J&K resources by the outsiders in absence of special status during the last five years.
Displaying copy of a reply on his question, Mir Saifullah of NC informed that since August 2019, hundreds of kanal land in Jammu and Kashmir was allotted to outsiders and not even a single industrial unit has been established so far on such allotted land.
“Not even a single unit has been established by these outsiders on the said land while no one from J&K was considered for allotment of the land,” he said and asked the BJP members to explain whether it was not loot-khsoot (plundering) of J&K.
The NC MLA urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to cancel such allotments of land on which no industrial unit has been set up so far.
Alleging massive corruption in Jal Shakti Department, he also demanded an inquiry to ascertain the reality over claimed expenditure of thousands of crores under Jal Jeevan Mission. He also alleged that mining resources in J&K were being controlled by the outsiders, who were not adhering to the regulations in this regard resulting into the rivers drying up.
On the other hand, BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi, in his address, justified the allotment of land to outsiders in J&K and reminded the ruling party members that if they were eligible to purchase immovable property in other parts of the country, how could they oppose the non-locals from investing in Jammu and Kashmir.
Yudhvir Sethi’s logic was countered by Irfan Hafiz Lone of Congress, who stood up from his seat and alleged that BJP had no moral stand on the issue. It led to a brief verbal dual between the two members.
The BJP MLA claimed that Jammu was being discriminated before 2014 and abrogation of Article 370 paved the way for development of the region. “After 2014, AIIMS, IIM, IIT etc were established here and more than two crore tourists visited J&K,” he said, while listing achievements during the Central rule here.
Sethi warned that any attempt to discriminate again with Jammu region would be opposed by BJP tooth and nail.
Prof Gharu Ram Bhagat of BJP also alleged that Article 370 was discriminatory to Jammu region in every aspect. “Abrogation of Article 370 gave Jammu its due share, citizenship rights to West Pak refugees and Balmiki community here,” he said and listed schemes of Central Government for public welfare extended to Jammu Kashmir.
The BJP MLA recalled that Agriculture College in R S Pura was shifted to Kashmir in 1963 for no reasons while Jammu had to agitate for getting Agriculture University. “Such discrimination with Jammu has ended due to efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we are thankful to him,” he added.
Reminding that the Prime Minister as well as Home Minister have assured restoration of Statehood to J&K at appropriate time, the BJP MLA said: We should work together to reach to that appropriate time.”
However, Hasnain Masoodi of NC, claimed that restoration of Statehood to J&K was a Constitutional obligation as per the Supreme Court judgement. “When we raised the issue in Supreme Court and challenged downgrading of J&K State into a Union Territory, the Attorney General did not argue against our plea,” he reminded.
The NC MLA also argued that if special status to J&K under Article 370 was a temporary provision, then why did the Constituent Assembly keep it outside the purview of the amending clause.
Hilal Akbar Lone of NC termed abrogation of Article 370 unconstitutional and ‘Goonda-gardhi’ (hooliganism) by the Central Government. He claimed that there was no Constitutional provision of taking away special status from Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.
Pointing towards BJP, he said: “You lowered our Pajama (loose trousers). We are naked and you too. It was sheer Goonda-Gardi.” The NC MLA’s remarks were strongly objected by BJP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia.
Salman Sagar of NC accused the Leader of Opposition for allegedly demeaning J&K by describing it as a small Union Territory in his remark over budget reaction. He stressed that people of J&K have given them mandate to speak for their rights, which were unconstitutionally snatched from them.
While speaking in support of the budget, he hailed the proposed women welfare measures and the initiatives for AAY families, old/widow pensioners as well as specially abled persons.
Iftikhar Ahmed of Congress expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for presenting a pro-public budget that has touched all aspects of the society. “This budget will lay a strong foundation for development of Jammu and Kashmir and we are sure that next five years will set a new dawn in the UT,” he asserted.
He demanded development of tourist spots in Peer Panchal area, inclusion of BPL for free ration benefit, amnesty for electricity consumers and providing of hostels for the SC students.
Waheed Parra of PDP, said that the budget has no mention of youth schemes or initiatives. He added that there is no mention of Employment Guarantee Act, Youth Startup scheme, Seed development fund or other initiatives for creating employability avenues for youth.
He also asked for establishing a Human Rights Commission for checking human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nizamuddin Bhat of Congress said that the budget presented by the Government is different from other times and is quite laudable. It has touched all aspects vis social, economic and infrastructure development, he said.
Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Independent), while speaking in support of the budgetary provisions, said that the Government has presented a pragmatic budget despite the challenges faced by it.
“I am thankful to the CM for prioritising health and education in the budget as they were not given due importance during the last few years. Patients are suffering due to piling up of vacancies in the hospitals,,” he said. He also said that focus should be laid on tourism promotion in Poonch and Rajouri.
Mehraj Malik of Aam Aadmi Party sought increase in wages of daily wagers and contractual staff working across different sectors in J&K. He sought giving mining contracts to youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted the continuous lapsing of funds during the last five years and said that this was being done under a conspiracy. He also asked for upgradation of schools and healthcare institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
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