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| Kashmir Vs Jammu saga returns in LA PDP bats for Kashmir, JKNPP for Jammu | | Just over Rs 30 Crore | | KUNAL SHRIVATSA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 26: In what could be described as a clear indicator of regional divide in the Lower House of the State Legislature because it was once again Kashmir versus Jammu which rocked the Legislative Assembly today since the main opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) alleged ‘discrimination’ with the two major regions of the state.
With PDP alleging that the government has discriminated with Kashmir by diverting Central Road Funds (CRF) meant for Valley to Jammu, the JKNPP claimed that Jammu is at the receiving end for more than the last sixty years as far as the distribution of funds among the two regions is concerned.
The issue echoed in the House during Question Hour when PDP legislator Syed Basharat Ahmad Bukhari regarding the status of construction of flyovers in Srinagar city.
As soon as the Minister Incharge R&B Ali Mohammad Sagar finished with his reply, the other members one by one asked supplementaries to the main question.
In the meantime, the Leader of PDP Legislature Party Mehbooba Mufti stood up and referred to news item appeared in an English daily.
Mehbooba said that as per the report of the paper more than Rs 30 crore meant for Kashmir region under CRF has been diverted to Jammu and sought a clarification from the government why it had happened.
“An amount of Rs 30 crore meant for Kashmir was transferred and utilised in development projects in Jammu,” PDP president alleged
Mehbooba Mufti said, “Such actions develop hurt burns among people….. The diversion of funds had hurt the development in Srinagar and other parts of the valley”.
She said the government should not have ‘diverted’ the amount to Jammu as the CRF never lapses adding, “The amount meant for Kashmir should have been utilised there only.”
In response to Mehbooba’s remarks, the Minister Incharge Ali Mohammad Sagar said, “Yes the funds were diverted..... At the same time Rs 30 Crore additionality was provided to Kashmir…. I didn’t conceal anything…. Because of turmoil in Kashmir last year the funds wouldn’t have been utilised, that is why they were transferred to execute works in Jammu”
However, expressing their resentment and dissatisfaction over the Minister’s reply, all the PDP legislators on their feet started to shout loudly in protest against the diversion of funds.
“We wanted a clarification on transfer of funds to Jammu…. It is a serious issue,” the agitated PDP members said
CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also spoke on the issue and expressed his concern on the diversion of funds meant for Kashmir region to Jammu.
“Under what codal procedures the funds were diverted… The government must explain.” Tarigami said
To this Minister Incharge Sagar said, “I respect your sentiments Mr Tarigami …. Even I have same sentiments for Srinagar, Jammu or any other area of the state.”
Sagar tried to convince the opposition that there Kashmir has been adequately compensated on account of the diversion of funds by providing Rs 30 crore as additionality besides CRF amount, but the PDP members paid no heed and started to raise slogans, “ Kashmir Ke Saath Na-insaafi Bandh Karo…”.
Shouting slogans, the PDP legislators stood in the aisle for a while before staging a walkout from the House in protest.
Meanwhile, during Zero Hour it was the turn of JKNPP leader Harshdev Singh to raise the issue of discrimination- this time with Jammu region.
Harsh Dev questioned the “dual policy” of the state government. "When the issue of CRF was raised, the government immediately announced compensation for the Valley…. If Kashmir is being compensated then why Jammu is being ignored, which has been experiencing constant discrimination at the hands of Kashmir for the last sixty years, but Jammuites are never compensated for the losses they have to go through due to continuous prejudice."
Lashing out at the Task force Reoprt which has recommended Rs 150 crore for 10 districts of Jammu province, Harsh Dev termed it as a cruel joke with Jammuites as mere Rs 15 crore is not even enough for constructing a small bridge.
“We denounce and have objections over the recommendations of the Task Force Report,” Harsh Dev said
Soon, Harsh Dev along with his party colleagues staged a walkout from the House in protest.
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