‘Lokayukta bill can’t be passed till J&K is UT’
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today urged Members of the Legislative Assembly who introduced various private members’ bills to wait until Jammu and Kashmir regains its Statehood, after which these bills could be reconsidered.
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All eight of the 41 bills introduced in the Assembly were rejected by the National Conference-led Government, while the remaining bills will be taken up in the next budget session.
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In response to most of the bills, the Chief Minister advised members to “wait for J&K to become a State again,” adding that only then could such legislation be taken up for consideration.
A bill introduced by MLA M.Y. Tarigami, sought to establish a Lokayukta in J&K to inquire into allegations of corruption against public servants.
Responding to it, the Chief Minister said the bill could not be passed while J&K remains a Union Territory, and members would have to wait until Statehood is restored.
In reply, Tarigami said, “We do not know anything about the timeline for the restoration of Statehood – how do we deal with it?”
The Chief Minister responded that there were already existing laws in place for the prevention of corruption, and J&K falls under their purview.
MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat brought a bill seeking the establishment of a Legislative Forum for Monitoring and Protection of Human Rights in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
On this, the Chief Minister said that J&K, being a Union Territory, falls under the jurisdiction of the National Human Rights Commission.
“The law does not permit us to establish such an institution here under the J&K Reorganisation Act. Let us become a State again – when that happens, we can have our own State Human Rights Commission,” he added.
A bill introduced by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, sought to provide for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug abuse victims and to establish addiction treatment and rehabilitation centres, besides ensuring community involvement to curb the menace.
On this, the Government through the Minister Sakeena Itoo, said it was planning to bring a comprehensive bill to address the issue.
MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani introduced a bill to provide immediate financial relief to fire victims for reconstruction and rehabilitation through the district administration.
The bill was also rejected, though the Chief Minister assured that the Government would look into the possibility of enhancing compensation.
MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia introduced a bill seeking compulsory vocational and skill education in Jammu and Kashmir. It was rejected, with the Deputy Chief Minister stating that Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) were already in place.
MLA Mubarak Gul introduced a bill for the social security and welfare of artisans and related matters. It was also rejected, with the Deputy Chief Minister citing financial implications.
Gul was assured that the suggestions in his bill would be taken into consideration, following which he agreed to withdraw it.
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