Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 12: Though the main Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the debate on Governor address accusing the Government of total disparity in creation of new administrative units in the State the other Opposition parties including BJP, NPP etc also turned tables on Government and blamed it of discrimination with their constituencies in creation of administrative units while participating in debate on Governor’s address in State Legislative Council today.
Initiating the debate, Harshdev Singh of Panthers Party termed the five year’s tenure of coalition Government totally non performing.
Terming the claims made in the Governor address as ridiculous and farcical, he said the claims made by coalition run counter to its performance on ground. “The Governor address is a sad tale of broken promises and this Government has a dubious record of non performance”, he said, adding the coalition partners are in secret contract with each other so far as creation of new administrative units is concerned.
He said PMGSY, which would have transformed the State’s economy is no where on ground and it has totally flopped. The Government is making tall claims of receiving huge funds from Centre but there is no physical impact of the same, he added.
He said the other States of country have made tremendous progress while implementing Central schemes but J&K has failed. The Governor address is based on press notes of Information Department and this Government is surviving on the crutches of Information Department, he added.
He highlighted the problems of unemployed youth PoK, West Pak refugees, Jammu migrants and alleged that the employment generation schemes like Udhan proved a total failure.
Accusing Government of bias in creation of new administrative units, Singh alleged the set norms were thrown in winds and no criteria was maintained for the same. He said Purmandal, Jindrah and Budhal needed to be given tehsil status while “my Constituency has also been ignored”.
Expressing surprise over creation of new administrative units in the State, MLA Jammu West, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta wanted to know where form the State can generate funds for the same. The State is not in a position financially to bear the expenses incurred on creation of new administrative units and it was a bandarbaant between NC and Congress parties.
He said, “NC claimed we are for Kashmir and Congress claimed we are for Jammu” but no one though about those areas lying with Opposition and where from the money will come for the same.
He demanded that the areas which were deprived be given new units.
He said the Governor address is nothing but only self praises of Government and demanded delimitation of constituencies as Jammu has more area and population than Kashmir Valley.
Turning tables on coalition, BJP’s Jugal Kishore Sharma alleged that new administrative units were created under a conspiracy and demanded tehsil status be given to Jindrah, Purmandal and sub division status to Bishnah. He alleged the promises made during last elections about power, water and ration supply have not been fulfilled till date. Highlighting the problems of refugees including those of West Pakistan and PoK, he said they are often on dharna for resolution of their problems but have not been given justice. “West Pak refugees can’t get a Government job and they are facing total injustice while Pak refugees have been deprived of one time assistance” he added.
Highlighting the issues of VDC members, he demanded their regularization saying they have played a remarkable role in fighting terrorism and some of them also laid down their lives.
Jugal, while advocating for initiation of debate on Article 370, said it has brought miseries to the people of the State and added to the problem of unemployment. “In setting up industrial units and creation of infrastructure, the 370 is a big impediment”. The special status has failed to give any benefit to the State, he added.
He stressed on construction of Railway Line from Jammu to Poonch.
MLA Bishnah, Ashwani Kumar Sharma stressed that uncovered and far-flung areas be given justice which were ignored in creation of new administrative units.
He strongly advocated for creation of sub division in Bishnah.
Highlighting the problems of border areas people, he said, they are victims of cross border firing, shelling and were forced to migrate but the promises made with them were not fulfilled till date.
He said the people on border near Zero Line are safe target of Pak firing and they be paid compensation for the land lying across the fencing. Highlighting the problems of West Pak and PoK refugees, he said their issues remained unsettled for last 65 years.
Alleging that refugees were victims of human rights violations, he wanted to know where will they go? If Dr Manmohan Singh a refugee can become PM and L K Advani another Pak refugees can become Deputy PM what is the fault of West Pak refugees putting up in J&K?
BJP’s Baldev Raj Sharma demanded immediate enactment of law on sealing. He said the holy township of Katra is observing total shut down for last three days in protest and the thousands of pilgrims visiting the holy cave are put to lot of hardships due to bandh.
He said 1000 people have been affected by sealing in the township and during the two master plans formed for the town no one objected the constructions there at that time.
He said the Railway Station Katra and Shrine Board buildings on whose construction about Rs 4000 crore would have been spent come under sealing after High Court order. Besides, Degree College, schools and other buildings are affected. The people are on roads and 25,000 yatris are put to hardships due to bandh this time.
He however hailed the Government for giving five tehsils and one sub division in Reasi district.
Making a scathing attack on Opposition PDP, MLA Langate, Engineer Abdul Rashid said that during its rule Kupwara was ignored in granting the new administrative units and “in my Constituency which was represented by PDP MLA not a single block was sanctioned.
He, however, alleged that Jammu was given many tehsils and sub division in comparison to Kashmir. He also accused Congress of changing sides and some times it makes alliance with PDP and some times with NC. The party trains its guns on Kashmiris from their shoulders, he added.
He wanted to know when Supreme Court of India commuted death sentence of 15 people why not of Afzal Guru. He also urged NC to clear its stand on autonomy and Congress should clarify whether it considers Kashmir as a dispute and also clear its stand on self rule and autonomy.
He, while demanding immediate arrest of former Health Minister, Shabir Ahmed Khan, he said the former Minister was supposed to surrender and asked why Government failed to arrest him?
Without naming PDP, NC leader, Mustafa Kamaal made it the main target of his attack and said that coalition feels ashamed of the protest made by the Opposition during Governor address. The peaceful protests are recommended in Government but there is no place for violence and indecency, he added.
The Opposition was welcome in keeping its point through a democratic way and not through protests, he said, adding as the House is only for 18 days and Opposition should not disturb the proceedings.
He said the Governor address threw light on security forces, militancy etc but it would have been better if it would have referred to civilians who were killed during militancy and the AFSPA.
He said the peace process started by then Prime Minister Atlas Behari Vajpayee in 2003 who extended hands of friendship to Pak should have been taken ahead. It would have also been better if two words would have been spoken on that.
He said it would have been better if the Governor address would have spoken of the problems as militancy, refugees issue and separatist movement which are the off shoot of these problems. Both India and Pakistan are facing problems on account of the same but the J&K is the main victim, he added.
Ashok Kumar while supporting the Governor’s Address said that Government has taken several revolutionary decisions in this tenure for the welfare of the people. He said the Government has tried to do justice with all sections of the Society in all three regions of the State. He, however, demanded upgradation of infrastructure in vital sectors in Ramban area.
Mohammad Sharief Niaz while supporting the Governor’s Address said that Government has succeeded in fulfilling its promises made to the public before the elections. He said considerable development has taken place in all vital sectors and figures are showing encouraging trend. He commended Government for the historical decision of creation of administrative units in the State and said that this will go a long way in mitigating the problems of people in all three regions of the State.
Peer Afaq Ahmed highlighted the achievements of the Government during the past five years. He said coalition Government launched several pro-people policies for their welfare in the State. He said that the measures initiated by the Government have started yielding results on ground and people have acknowledged the change.
Hakim Mohammad Yasin urged upon the Government to make functional the newly created administrative units at the earliest. He also sought effective implementation of flagship programmes of Central Government so that the benefits reach out to the needy. He called for carrying forward the peace process in the State as envisaged in the Working Groups set up by the Prime Minister. He also sought concrete steps to take back power projects from the NHPC.
Mohammad Irfan Shah while supporting the Governor’s address said that the Government has taken historic decision by creating new adm. Units in the State. He said this will reduce the gap between the public and administration considerably. He called for making these units operational on ground at the earliest.
Krishan Chander Bhagat supported the programmes and policies of the Government and said that during the past five years Government has been able to provide better basic facilities to the people in the rural and far-flung areas. He demanded upgradation of medical, drinking water facilities and strengthening the network of education and roads in Chenani area.
Balwant Singh Mankotia urged the Government for curtailing the wasteful expenditures by taking various austerity measures. He also emphasized the need for a review in the existing recruitment policy. He also called for considering the demands of uncovered areas for creating new administrative units.
Charanjeet Singh thanked the Governor for his address and supported the welfare initiatives taken by the Government. He urged upon the Government to strengthen the road network in the Kathua constituency.
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