Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: While Opposition Congress and NC questioned the BJP- PDP coalition during the debate on Governor’s address in State Assembly today – the members of ruling coalition PDP and BJP strongly defended it saying that the mandate will bring the people of all three regions closer.
Participating in the debate Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Jammu West, Sat Sharma said that Coalition Government would empower all the democratic institutions, which were rendered defunct by the previous dispensation.
“We are committed to ensure decentralization of power for which our utmost priority would be to conduct elections to Urban Local Bodies and empower Panchayats by implementing 73rd and 73th Amendments, which were not taken seriously by the previous Government”, he further said. Moreover, the BJP-PDP Government would infuse new lease of life in the defunct bodies like State Accountability Commission, Public Service Commission and State Human Rights Commission, for which the process has already been set into motion.
Accusing the Opposition of creation confusion in the minds of people by airing apprehension about the continuity of the BJP-PDP Government, Mr Sharma said, “this Government would complete its full term and implement the Agenda of Alliance in its letter and spirit”, adding “we will create such a system that every region and sub-region would get justice on all aspects”.
Stating that Coalition Government was committed to holistic development all the three regions of the State, he said, “we have set a mechanism in this regard and era of discrimination would come to an end during our tenure”, adding “we will also try to make State self reliant”.
He disclosed that Coalition Government has flagged corruption as core issue to be tackled with iron hands for which all possible steps would be taken. He said that Governor’s Address has explicitly touched all the priority areas of the new dispensation.
Earlier initiating the debate, PDP MLA Javed Hassan Baig said the mandate of 1987 was tampered that led to militancy in the State after the youth took to arms.
The mothers of these youth who were 40 years of age then have turned 70 now and they don’t know where their children are buried. They don’t know whether they are in Pakistan or J&K or elsewhere, he added.
He said had the mandate of the people been respected at that time, the situation would have been different today. This time Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Syeed fully respected the mandate of the masses and we joined the coalition to give representation to all three regions of the State. However, NC MLA Nazir Gurezi intervened him.
Baig said coalition will talk to stakeholders to settle the problem for restoration of everlasting peace in the State.
Congress MLA from Inderwal, G M Saroori said that Governor’ Address has not mentioned about Rs 44,000 crore relief and rehabilitation package submitted by the previous Government to the Union Government despite the fact that flood hit people are still suffering a lot.
“Mere few thousand crores of rupees are not sufficient to provide succor to huge population affected due to devastating floods but the new dispensation has buried the special package”, he regretted.
He suggested the Government to vigorously chase the package with the Union Government. He demanded that special focus should be laid on upcoming power projects and efforts should be made on war footing to resolve the crisis that has gripped Pakal Dul project.
BJP MLA from Ramnagar, R S Pathania said that Governor’s address has outlined the policies being adopted by the Coalition Government to steer the State towards the prosperity and era of development.
“Regional Development Plans is one such step which the Government has proposed to initiate to ensure holistic development of all the regions and sub-regions of the State”, he said, adding “this Government is also devising criteria for allocation of financial resources in order to bring an end to the era of discrimination”.
Mr Pathania said that Government would provide justice to the West Pak refugees and Opposition should not jump to any conclusion at such an early stage. He while supporting Governor’s address said that it reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”. He said the three parameters for dialogue on the basis of Vajpayee doctrine include Insaniyat, Jamhurriyat and Kashmiriyat. He also stressed on development of his area by setting up power projects on Ujh and Chenab rivers.
BJP’s Rajiv Jasrotia complimented people, security forces and fourth estate for successful elections in the State. He also complimented the tallest leaders of the country Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for respecting peoples mandate by forming the Coalition Government in the State. This is a good step for the development of all three regions of the State, he added.
He said AIIMS for Kashmir, IIM and IIT for Jammu are welcome initiatives. He said the BJP is committed to Parliament resolution and informed the Opposition that any decision taken at Jandenwala, Delhi and Nagpur will be in the national interests.
While accusing Congress of misleading refugees he also criticized Engineer Rashid’s remarks of sending them PoK saying that BJP is committed to Parliament resolution. Jasrotia said BJP-PDP coalition will make J&K most developed instead of most corrupt State.
He also turned attention of Government towards the burning down of pump stations in his Constituency.
His Party colleague and MLA Ramban Neelam Langeh said that people voted in favour of BJP-PDP because they were fed up with the previous Government.
He demanded compensation for the 21 families of Sanasar whose houses were damaged in landslide recently. He also stressed on promotion of tourism in Ramban, which is also a tourist destination in the State. He demanded setting up of mini hydel projects in Ramban. He alleged that Ramban has been totally neglected by the previous Governments and demanded that special attention be paid to its development this time.
Congress MLA from Banihal Vikar Rasool while turning tables on coalition said lot of efforts were made by his Party to stop communal forces in formation of Government in the State and Congress in this regard offered unconditional support to PDP as Party does not want a wedge should be created among people on communal lines.
He said Congress made an appeal to Mufti Mohammed Sayeed to stop such powers in coming to power which are against the interests of the people. He asked PDP what happened to your slogans during elections when your leaders appealed the people to stop the Party from coming to power in the State whose leader wears caps and shawls of all religions except Muslims. “You (PDP) during the elections asked people to stop Mission 44 + but instead of stopping Mission 44+ you created Mission 56 +”, he added.
Rasool termed PDP as creation of BJP leader L K Advani and said that land row agitation of 2008 was a match fixing between the two parties. He sought a reply from PDP that what happened to its slogans of double currency and self- rule. He also asked BJP what happened to its slogan of Jammu CM. Mohammad Yusuf Bhat supported the Governor’s Address and said that PDP-BJP is need of the hour and only viable option which can deliver and fulfil the aspirations of the people. The Agenda of the present regime is to ensure overall development and strengthening the peace and progress in the State. He described Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Syeed as seasoned and a veteran politician, who will be able to take along all the stakeholders and give good governance.
Dr. Gagan Bhagat described the 2014 elections as victory of democracy as people in record number exercised the right to franchise. He said now it is for the Government to fulfil their aspirations. He highlighted the agenda of the Coalition Government and hoped that it will provide justice to all sections of the society.
Asgar Karbalai called for strengthening the democratic set up in the State and said that the members should work for the betterment of masses.
Raja Manzoor Ahmed fully supported the Governor’s Address and described it as complete road map for the overall development of the State. He lambasted the previous Government for creating the mess in the affairs of administration that led to great hardships to the people. He hoped that the present Government will provide justice to the people. He also sought reservation for the Pahari people.
Jeevan Lal hailed the Governor’s address and said that the document addresses the needs of all sections of the society. He called for exploring tourism potential of Bani, ST status for Koli, making functional block councils and early holding of local bodies’ elections. He called upon all the members to work for the betterment of the people who have elected them.
Ashfaq Jabbar opposed the Governor’s Address and said that the CMP has little for the benefit of common man and sought concrete steps to be initiated for the welfare of poor sections of the society. He stressed on steps for eradicating corruption and providing good governance, besides one time settlement of militancy victims. He also called for streamlining the scholarships for the students studying outside the State.
Shah Mohammad Tantray, while supporting the Governor’s Address said that the Mufti led Government will provide justice to all sections of the society and take measures for the speedy development of all areas. He called upon the Government to focus on the core issues like promotion of tourism, health and education.
Kuldeep Kumar while taking part in discussion on Governors address said that the coalition government will work for the development and welfare of the people of the State.
Ch. Kamaljeet in his speech censured the previous Coalition Government for corruption. He appreciated the people of Rajouri and Poonch for strengthening the bonds of brotherhood in the district.
Gulzar Ahmed Wani in his speech alleged that Governor’s address does not focus much on the development of far-flung and remote areas especially Gujjar and Bakerwal Communities. He urged the Government not to neglect these areas.
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