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| Cong-NC split wide open, members clash in LC | | Breach of privilege against ex-Army chief | | No decision on gunpoint: Chairman
Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Mar 5: Split wide open! Congress and National Conference (NC) today clashed in the Legislative Council over the issue of Chairman Amrit Malhotra delaying decision in the legality of privilege committee which had been probing into ex-Army chief Gen. V.K. Singh's comment over Army paying J&K legislators.
The issue was raised by MLC and Provincial president of National Conference (NC) Devinder Rana immediately after the question hour was over in the Legislative Council today. Rana pleaded with Chairman Amrit Malhotra to let the House know status of the privilege committee which had been probing into the comments made by ex-Army Chief about politicians being paid by the military to do their job.
He said that since Chairman of the Committee Jugal Kishore had referred the matter for adjudication to you, a decision should have been given so that the committee could proceed further. A question was raised on the legality of the committee and same should have been answered by now, added Rana. How could a committee be illegal for one issue and legal for all other cases which it took up and where several officers were called and taken to task?, Rana asked.
He maintained that if the committee is now being termed illegal, house would have to apologise to all those officers who were summoned for breach of privilege. MLC and Congress spokesperson Ravinder Sharma reacted and said that as soon as he got to know about the rules, he raised the issue. There should be no legal infirmity in whatever we do since the man involved is ex-chief of the Army staff, said Sharma.
"You should not force Chairman Amrit Malhotra to give a decision on this issue. He is seized of the mater and would give his ruling at an appropriate time," Sharma said. He added that Chairman knows law better, has understanding of issues and should be allowed to decide on his own. "According to rule 257, the committee cannot have more than 5 members. We had no other intention," said Sharma.
He vociferously said that one member cannot influence the entire committee. "Every member's point of view is important. One member's viewpoint cannot be taken as writing on the wall. Now, the issue is before you Chairman Sahab. You decide and give a judgement as and when you feel convenient," added Sharma. Ghulam Nabi Monga of Congress stepped in and said, "he is making issue out of no issue. It is unfortunate that Rana is playing to galleries."
Rana replied and said that why the rule is being quoted now. "This rule is being quoted. It should have been quoted earlier also," said Rana. He was seconded by NC's Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy and Jahangir Mir of Congress. Reacting to the situation, Chairman Amrit Malhotra said "Judgement is reserved. I cannot give judgement on gunpoint. I would give the judgement on the time of my choosing and not like this."
This brought the entire milieu over the breach of privilege to a close. It needs to be mentioned here that NC Legislators which included Devinder Rana had moved breach of privilege against ex-Army chief Gen. V.K.Singh for his purported statement that many J&K Ministers had been receiving the secret Central funds since 1947. Singh recently joined BJP and is likely to be their candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. |
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