scattered
and Forgotten
Oppn targets Govt in budget debate; raises issues of refugees, migrants
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.
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Jammu-Kashmir News Watch/February, 2014