Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 3: Speaker of Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta today formed a House Committee of the Assembly to examine the demand for revocation of SRO 105, after members from the treasury benches joined the Opposition and lodged strong protest.
As soon as the House assembled this morning, opposition National Conference, Congress, and CPI (M) lawmakers supported by some from the ruling PDP and the BJP members demanded that SRO 105 on the quarrying in the State, be revoked immediately.
The agitating members who raised slogans against the Government said that the SRO is in violation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. They claimed that the SRO would affect the livelihood of thousands of families, mostly labourers, as big contractors from outside the State will put the local contractors out of competition, resulting in escalation of cost of construction material.
Initially, the Speaker refused to give in to the demand of the members saying a question is listed in the Question Hour on the issue and they can raise it at that time.
This irked the opposition and the MLAs stormed into the Well of the House and raised slogans against the Government and in support of revocation of the SRO. The opposition members resumed their seats after Roads and Buildings Minister A R Veeri assured them that Government will make a statement after the Question Hour. He said that no disruptions will be allowed in Question Hour. He accused the opposition of playing to the galleries.
As soon as the Question Hour ended, the opposition members demanded the Government to make a statement. Industries and Commerce Minister, Chander Prakash, said the SRO was issued in compliance with the directions of the High Court which had sought implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on the matter.
The opposition members alleged that the SRO was brought in to favour mining contractors from neighbouring Punjab. However, Prakash assured the House that only State subjects will be allowed to participate in the bidding process. He also rejected the opposition charge that implementation of the SRO would lead to escalation in cost of construction material. “Only Rs 62 have been increased per truck.”
Not satisfied with the Minister’s statement, the opposition members again stormed into the well of the House. This time they were joined by BJP MLAs Kuldeep Raj and Rajive Jasrotia while many others from the treasury benches, including some from the PDP, rose in support of the demand for revocation of the order.
The Opposition created ruckus and House witnessed noisy scenes. The Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes. This was the first adjournment during this year’s Budget session. After the House re assembled, the Speaker said while the SRO 105 has been put on hold for the time being, a House Committee will look into the demand for revocation of the order.
The Speaker said committee will submit its report by July 15. The members of the committee include Mohammad Akbar Lone, Devender Singh Rana, Sukhnandan Chaudhary, Rajiv Jasrotia, Altaf Bukhari, Javaid Baig, , Bashir Dar, Nawang Rigzin Jora and Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen.
While some members were satisfied with the Speaker’s ruling, Congress MLAs and Mohammad Akbar Lone said there was no need for a House Committee. “There is a general consensus that this order should be revoked. What is need of a House Committee?”, Jora asked, The Congress members and some from the National Conference staged a walkout on the issue. Lone, a former Speaker, however, continued to protest against the SRO, seeking immediate revocation. As speaker, refused to pay attention to his demand, Lone then staged a walk out from the House.
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