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| Opposition grills coalition over employees' strike | | |
ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 9: Opposition members belonging to Peoples' Democratic Party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and Jammu State Morcha (JSM) today cornered the ruling coalition over the strike of employees and invocation of Essential Services Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) on striking employees.
Besides, Jammu based MLAs of Opposition parties also put the government on backseat over the issue of 'brutal' lathicharge on Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees at Shalamar Chowk couple of days back.
These issues were echoed when the House assembled this morning for having a debate over inter-district recruitment bill.
All the legislators of Opposition parties were on their feet and accused the government of following "suppressive" tactics to choke the voice of the employees.
Raising the issue, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, CPI (M) MLA said, "The government should hold talks with striking employees and invocation of ESMO is no solution to any problem. It is only dialogue which can resolve the issues. The government should find out some solution."
Chaman Lal Gupta, Leader of BJP Legislature Party said, "While the employees are on strike for the last several days, it seems the confrontation is government sponsored. Invocation of ESMA would further deteriorate the situation and the government should hold dialogue with the employees."
Mehbooba Mufti, president Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the invocation of ESMA on employees as "Martial Law" and warned that it would backfire for the government.
"The government is creating problems for itself and there is a complete chaos and confusion across the State. They have been saying that they had pleaded before the 13th Finance Commission for paying arrears but we don't whether any such commission exists. While the government has been making hue and cry regarding non-availability of resources, crores of rupees are being spent on advertisements and that too against employees."
The PDP president further said, "Employees are the tools of any government and this confrontation would not serve any purpose. Congress party, which was our alliance partner, is a witness that the employees never face any problem during the tenure of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed."
Harsh Dev Singh, Leader of Panthers Legislature Party expressed concern over the employees' strike and called for immediate settlement of their grievances. He also condemned the cane charge on PoK refugees who were protesting peacefully in favour of their demands.
"The administration has arrested some of refugees and they have been booked under serious charges. As they were protesting for their legitimate rights, the government should not register any case against them and release them immediately," he demanded.
BJP senior leader and MLA Jammu East, Ashok Khajuria reminded the government about the emergency period in 1975 and alleged, "The coalition government is working on same lines."
"Any civil society does not permit us for such a brutal lathicharge on PoK refugees. On one hand the government has drafted a policy for general amnesty to militants and on the other the people demanding legitimate rights are being cane charged. The government should immediately release them," Khajuria said.
JSM MLA from Bishnah, Ashwani Kumar Sharma said, "The government had decided to send an all party delegation to the Centre seeking its financial assistance for paying arrears of Sixth Pay Commission. The decision of invoking ESMO was taken in haste and it has crippled the entire administrative functioning across the State. The government should take immediate action for resolving this crisis."
He also castigated the government for lathicharge on PoK refugees and demanded immediate release of detained refugees.
When the BJP MLA from Nagrota, Jugal Kishore Sharma sought permission from the Chair, the Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone remarked, "Aapko Apne Leaders Par Confidence Nahi Hai……" and allowed him to raise his concern.
Jugal shouted, "This government has virtually imposed martial law in the State. The refugees were beaten up by the police brutally and there were booked under serious charges."
When the Speaker asked him to sit down, the furious BJP MLA moved towards front row and sought a statement from the government.
The speaker said, "As you have raised your concern, the government would take care of it."
Khajuria remarked, "Government Soyi Hui Hai….." Uproarious scenes disrupted the House proceedings for 10 minutes.
Later, PDP legislator, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat clarified that the PDP was not the part of 'All Party Meet' called by the Chief Minister.
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