Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: Amidst noisy scenes and heated exchanges with the National Conference member Devender Singh Rana, the PDP members staged walk out of the Upper House while total 16 members participated in debate on Governor’s address today.
While taking part in the discussion on Governor’s address, Mr Rana alleged that PDP played politics over execution of Afzal Guru and exploited the situation for the political mileage in the State. This party always tried to disturb peace in the State and caused blood- shed and promoted hatred among the people by dividing them on regional lines. He alleged that PDP chief committed murder of democracy in 1984 by his designs and his party can never tolerate peace in the State. History has been the witness to it and the people can not forgive them for their misdeeds. They caused blood shed in Kashmir and played dirty politics on the bodies of the dead, Rana maintained.
These remarks irked the PDP members including Nizam-ud-din Khatana, Mohd Ashraf Mir and Sayed Asgar Ali. They launched counter attack and asked the ‘chair’ to direct the NC member to speak on the subject or allow them to reply the allegations raised by Mr Rana. It was followed by the process of allegations and counter allegations for some time. Though, another PDP member Murtaza Khan was also there in the House but he chose to remain cool. As the vice chairman, Khalid Nazeeb Suhrawardy snubbed the Opposition members to take their seats, they got more agitated and staged walk out except Murtaza Khan.
On this Mr Rana remarked that PDP members could not face the truth and that’s why they have chosen to flee away from the House. He said PDP was always looking for the opportunity to de-stabilize the Omar Government. It never opened mouth against Congress. They played politics on Guru. But they should understand that it is not fair to play politics on the humane issues. They must understand the humane values and respect for the sentiments of the people. He also highlighted some achievements of Omar Government.
Earlier, continuing with further discussion on Motion of Thanks on Governor’s address in the Legislative Council Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri complimented the Government for creating atmosphere of peace and normalcy. He said that State has witnessed considerable decrease in civilian deaths and militant attacks. Peaceful situation has resulted in huge tourism boom and several countries have lifted their negative travel advisories, he added.
Vijay Bakaya lauded the performance of the Government especially in tackling the law and order situation. He called for improving the quality of education and training provided to the youth for securing their future employment prospects. He also demanded that issues related to Kashmiri Migrants be given extra attention by the Government.
B. R. Kundal highlighted unemployment as a major issue and identified industrial sector, tourism sector, ITI’s, as potential areas to address them. He demanded Railway Junction for Jammu and asked the Government to close down institutions found involved in female foeticide and slap criminal cases against them.
Dr. Shehnaz Ganai while complimenting the Government for enactment of several landmark Acts and holding Panchayat elections said that the Government is further strengthening the grass root level democracy and issues of honorarium, social security and insurance policy is also receiving due consideration. She said empowerment of women has received special attention by the Government, the same needs more focus especially on matters related to violence against women and creating congenial atmosphere for women at work places.
Syed Rafiq Shah sought permanent resolution of Kashmir issue and steps be taken to curb rampant corruption. He said that children are not taught State’s rich cultural history and local languages are receiving little attention. He suggested improvement in transmission of power to rural areas and more focus on livestock sector.
Syed Asgar Ali said that Government has acted slowly in completing the establishment of 3-tiers Panchayat Raj System. He said that Government should ensure that local people are employed in power projects and given necessary skill and upgradation trainings in this regard. He called for bringing several virgin areas on the tourism map in Marwah, Dachhan and other areas of Kishtwar and stressed for providing better road and transport infrastructure in Kishtwar, Doda and other hilly areas to prevent loss of precious lives in road accidents.
Ghulam Ahmed Monga lauded the performance of the Government and said that law and order situation has seen considerable improvement due to which the State has witnessed successful tourism season. He said Government has delivered on the promise of strengthening grass root governance and Panchayat elections were a major milestone. He also highlighted significance of several important road projects and tunnels and suggested that tunnel projects like Zojilla should also be considered to remote areas like Gurez.
Jehangir Mir said that peace is imperative for development and to carry forward welfare programmes for the people. He said employment issues of youth should be addressed comprehensively and measures need to be taken to uproot corruption at all levels. He also called for extending trade activities across regions and with neighbouring countries.
Ajat Shatru Singh while complimenting the Government said that moral education should be added to the educational curriculum. He said that recent incidents of violence especially against women demanded promotion of moral education. He also called for establishing single window system for services and pleaded to take steps to curb menace of corruption.
Jugal Kishore Sharma while participating in discussion complimented the Government for holding the Panchayat elections and putting in place a vibrant Panchayati Raj System. He also called for creation of new tehsils in the districts which were formed due to the landmark decision of Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Javid Rana said that the Government has done a credible job in ensuring peace and social security in the State especially after the Shopian episode and the recent situation arisen due to the hanging of Afzal Guru. He said that the Government has also ensured the fast track recruitment through PSC and SSRB so that more and more youth are provided the much need job opportunities.
Naresh Gupta while highlighting the achievements registered by the Government in different sectors said that the acts like Right to Information and Public Safety Guarantee Act have ensured transparency and accountability into day-to-day governance. He also called for establishment of a disaster management institutes in the hilly district of Doda and Kishtwar.
Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardhy stressed for utilization of a percentage of profit incurred from various hydroelectric projects of Doda in the developmental activities in the district. He also called for establishment of institute of management studies and speeding up the pace of work on the roads and tunnels connected the district with the Kashmir.
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