National Conference calls Budget directionless, visionless

The National Conference today termed the Budget presented by the PDP-BJP government on Monday as “directionless and visionless”.
In the Upper House of the legislature, National Conference (NC) MLCs Sajjad Kichloo and Ali Mohammad Dar, while participating in a discussion on the Budget, said there was nothing in it.
“I think there is no fun in discussing this Budget. While the House is yet to pass it, SROs have been issued with regard to the Budget by the Finance Ministry. The SROs are issued only after discussion in the House. It is requested that these SROs may be revoked,” said Dar.
Dar said there was nothing in the Budget presented by Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu for panchayat empowerment.
Kichloo claimed the Budget was “visionless and directionless”. “Last year, when the Budget was presented by Drabu Saheb, we were told that it will show results. But let me tell you that the Finance Minister is expert in many things. When we were told the district plan has been enhanced, we were happy. But the fact is that the figures were manipulated and nothing changed on the ground,” Kichloo said.
The NC lawmaker also hit out at the PDP-BJP government on the return of power projects to the state.
“Drabu Saheb last year talked about the return of power projects but the Union Minster for Power refused to return the power projects,” Kichloo said.
He had also taken strong exception to the coalition government’s intentions on the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report.
Meanwhile, in the Legislative Council, Congress legislator Naresh Gupta today said the Budget was in contradiction to the promises in the last Budget. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker Zaffar Manhas said there were major announcements for the welfare of the people. “However, there is no mention of 10 lakh Paharis in the Budget. The Paharis live on the border and become the victims of firing on the borders and the Line of Control. The government cannot ignore them,” Manhas said.
Discussions continue
Srinagar: For the second consecutive day on Wednesday, discussion on the Budget continued in the Assembly. NC’s Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar from Ganderbal dwelt upon timely assistance to farmers under the Kisan Credit Card scheme and the return of migrant Kashmiri Pandits. Describing the Budget as anti-people, anti-farmer and anti-youth, NC MLA Mubarak Gul said there was nothing to eradicate unemployment. PDP member from Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh said though the Budget was pro-people and pro-poor, there were some issues which needed to be addressed. —TNS
Private Securities Agencies Regulation Act tabled
Srinagar: Minister for Education Naeem Akhtar on Wednesday tabled the Jammu and Kashmir Private Securities Agencies (Regulation) Rules, Act, 2016, in the Legislative Council. He tabled the rules of the Act on behalf of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who also holds the portfolio of Home Minister. According to the provisions, nobody would be allowed to carry on the business of private security agency unless he holds a licence issued under the Act.