NC stalls J&K Assembly proceeding alleging discrimination
Opposition National Conference on Wednesday accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of discriminating against the Kashmir Valley over the distribution of power sector funds and also stalled proceeding of both the Houses leading to which some of the NC MLAs were marshaled out.
As soon as the House started its business today, NC MLAs created ruckus in the Assembly over the release of funds for the repair of damaged transformers.
The government planning department yesterday released an amount of Rs 3.5 crore for the repair of damaged power transformers in the state. Out of the total amount, Rs 2.5 crore was released for Jammu and Rs 1 crore for Kashmir Valley.
“Why this discrimination with the people of Kashmir who have suffered more due to the incessant rains and floods. The power infrastructure in Kashmir Valley has suffered more damage because of the floods,” NC member Nazir said.
The opposition members also tried to storm the Well of the House demanding a reply from the PDP-BJP government.
Speaker Kavinder Gupta tried to control the situation by assuring the opposition members that he would let them take up the issue during the Zero Hour, however, the opposition continued with their protest.
Amid continuing ruckus, the Speaker ordered six opposition members to be marshaled out of the House while adjourning the proceedings for ten minutes.
The members who were marshaled out of the House included Nazir Gurezi, Altaf Kaloo, Nazir Gurezi, Abdul Majid Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmed Sheikh and Engineer Rasheed.
After the Assembly commenced its proceedings following the adjournment, NC members were on their toes over the issue and sought reply from the government.
Some of the members again walked to the entry of the Well of the House and Kaloo was seen protesting atop a bench.
Minister for Forests Bali Bhagat on the behalf of Deputy Chief Minister made a statement in the House and said the members have expressed their concern over the issue and it is a serious and genuine issue.
“The government assures you that there would be no discrimination with Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions in terms of the funds and development,” Bali said.
PTI
