NPP MLAs marshaled out

NPP MLAs protesting in the Assembly on Saturday.—Excelsior/Amin War
NPP MLAs protesting in the Assembly on Saturday.—Excelsior/Amin War

 

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 30: National Panthers Party members were today marshalled out from the Legislative Assembly after they disobeyed the orders from Speaker Mubarak Gul to resume their seats and continued slogan shouting in the Well of the House against discrimination with Jammu region.
The NPP members entered the House in red apron to get attention of the House and media. They alleged discrimination with Jammu region by the Government in every field and protested against the Government.
People’s Democratic Party, Bharatiya Janata Party and Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and G M Saroori were also on their feet, demanding that they be allowed to raise their issues.
The entire Question Hour was wasted as not a single question could be taken up on the last day of the session. Gul said he will allow each member from every party to raise their issues but there should be order in the House.
Leader of the NPP Harshdev Singh, who was allowed by the Speaker to speak, said for the past six years, they have been raising the issue of discrimination with Jammu region.
“We want that all the three regions of the State should get equal share in funds allocation, employment and other development,” Singh said. He said that the Government is looking at Jammu region with jaundiced eye. He alleged that there is discrimination in every field with Jammu region and ratio is 80 percent and 20 percent.
The NPP MLA alleged that out of 7000 employees in the Civil Secretariat, only 200 were from Jammu region. He said that no step has been taken to address the issue.
“Funds were allotted for the development of lakes in Kashmir, which is good, but Jammu was left out”, said Singh. He wanted to know why no funds were allotted for lakes in Jammu region. He said Rs 1100 crore were released for Dal lake and Rs 360 crore for Wullar lake and Mansarovar lake in Jammu has been left out.
The NPP MLA said that Jammu region is facing discrimination in tourism development, power sector and employment.
However, Speaker Mubarak Gul directed Singh to give details of alleged discrimination so that these could be verified.  He said there are Ministers from Jammu in the Cabinet and Chief Minister himself has said there is equal development of all regions still you are alleging discrimination.
After remaining silent in their seats, when the Speaker informed the House about receipt of Crime Branch report on land grab issue and there was uproar in the House with PDP and NC members leveling allegation against each other, the NPP members stormed into the Well of the House, raising slogans of discrimination with Jammu.
“I have allowed you to raise the issue, now you are again disrupting the functioning of the House. Go to your seats,” the Speaker directed the NPP leaders who refused his directions. Later, Gul directed Watch and Ward staff to take the NPP members out from the House and they were marshaled out.