news details |
|
|
| Chief Minister hits out at PDP | | Rehabilitation policy for stone pelters in offing | | KUNAL SHRIVATSA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, MAR 18: Hitting back at Peoples’ Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti for describing him as “Block President of NC and SOG constable”, Chief Minister CM Abdullah today said that he does not engage himself in “political mud-slugging”.
“Time and again, I have proved myself that allegations leveled against me are not true in nature and I am in possession of the documentary proof of the same.” said Chief Minister
Referring to Mehbooba Mufti’s absence from the House when he began to address his reply on cut motions moved by several legislators of different political parties, Chief Minister said sarcastically “Those who speak more have less capacity to listen.”
He said that even during reply to the governor’s address, the PDP boycotted the proceedings and today again its president is not present in the House even though she set the tone and tenor of the discussion.
Describing the manner in which the opposition legislators took up the discussion over the cut motions moved as far as his departments is concerned; the Chief Minister said that instead of deliberating over the issues of public importance they rather wasted precious time of the House by raking up personal vendetta against him and his family.
“I received as many as 10 slips from the officers sitting in the officials’ gallery, which shows that how much attention was paid by legislators on matters pertaining to departments being held by me.”
Responding on figures of killings during past and present in Kashmir valley, Chief Minister said, “I don’t want to go in this detail that how many got killed under whose regime. For me every single killing is more than any thing else.”
While referring to rehabilitation of stone pelters, CM said, “The youth, who resort to stone pelting in Srinagar and some other areas of valley, are residents of this state and they needed to be rehabilitate on the pattern of other alienated persons.”
Denying allegations of PDP that the stone pelters take out their ire only on government agencies and security forces, he challenged the main opposition party that their leadership should go through the areas like Maisuma and Downtown in Srinagar city besides other parts in valley and bore the brunt following which they will be able to experience the reality.
Chief Minister without naming anybody said that there are some members who are trying to influence the police officials to release arrested stone pelters.
“Being head of the home ministry, I know the chain of command. One of the MLAs phoned a district police officer to release some of the guilty stone pelters.”
As soon as the Chief Minister made the revelation, Mehbooba Mufti, who by then had joined the proceedings, rose up on her feet and handed over some paper to the Speaker.
Replying further, the Chief Minister informed the House that the ration money for J&K police personnel is proposed to be raised from Rs 600 to Rs 1000.
While responding to cut motions on Power Development Department, CM said that we are trying to revive Sawlakot Power Project and a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary following the directions of Court in this regard.
CM said, “Due to the stalling of Sawlakot Project, the state has so far incurred losses to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore which means in we experienced Rs 2000 crores notional losses every year as the power generated through could have been consumed as well as sold.”
Responding to power cuts, Chief Minister said that last year electricity provided to the consumers is 14 percent more than the corresponding period.
“I assure the house that from next schedule of power cuts, there will be no unscheduled shut down” said CM adding that less curtailment will be ensured in areas where revenue collection is more than satisfactory.
In his reply to the cut motions moved on Planning Department, the Chief Minister informed that there is no single district in the state where additionality was provided not once but twice.
Dismissing the accusations that Jammu region is being ignored and discriminated, Chief Minister said that his government does not believe in partiality.
“Additionality to the tune of Rs 210 crore has been provided for Kashmir region while Rs 203 crore was sanctioned for Jammu region which clearly indicates that there is not a wide gap in plan allocation as far as two regions are concerned.” he said adding that it is ensured that there is no disparity with Jammu.
While referring to the demand of enhancement of retirement age from 58 years to 60 years, CM said that the issue needs political consensus.
Responding to the demand of release of arrears of sixth pay commission, the Chief Minister said that a huge amount of Rs 4200 crores are needed for the same which is not a meager amount.
He appealed employees to leave the path of confrontation and come to the negotiation table.
Earlier, the House witnessed uproarious scenes when chief Minister stated that legislators should not issue dictats that where and how much of funds are to be spent under various developmental works as interests of other elected representatives have to be looked after.
These remarks of Chief Minister infuriated opposition benches and the members up on their feet started shouted slogans “Tanashahi Nahin Chalegi” and “Zor Zabardasti Nahin Chalegi.”
The agitated legislators were calmed down only after Speaker’s intervention.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
