Karra for better utilization of allocated funds
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 10: Peoples Conference Member Legislative Assembly, Sajjad Lone and opposition BJP MLA from Udhampur, Pawan Gupta grilled ruling National Conference over the Budget proposals and said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are feeling cheated.
Taking part in the Budget discussion in the Legislative Assembly today, Sajad Lone said, it is a typical political budget. It does not show any sign of NC’s election manifesto. That is entirely missing in the current budget. Promises made to the people have not been fulfilled. Therefore, the people are feeling cheated.
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He pointed out that they had promised 12 free LPG cylinders to the poor/ BPL people before elections. Who are about 16 lakh in number. Now they changed it that 6 cylinders will be given to the AAY people who are nearly 2 lakh in number. During elections they had not mentioned that only AAY families will be benefitted. Now, one and half years have gone, they gave nothing to the public. Instead of providing benefit of nearly Rs 8500 crores to 16 lakh poor people of J&K they will spent only Rs 350 crores now. And on the other hand, they imposed 2 % cess on diesel. They will earn more than 400 crores per annum and even after spending Rs 350 or max Rs 360 crores on 6 LPG cylinders they will earn additional revenue. They have breached their promise and cheated over 14 lakh BPL people of J&K who have deroived of this facility.
Referring to outsourcing of 24000 Government jobs, Sajjad Lone said it will directly benefit the ‘Babus’ and not the youth of the poor and middle class families. This is their brain game. Middle men will be benefitted with it. Such things used to be happen during LG rule but now how a popular Govt is allowing such things to happen, it is surprising. This is economic and societal disaster and a country like India can not afford it. He said seeking NOCs on petty issues through bureaucratic system gives rise to the corruption. It should be stopped. He sought removal of drawbacks in Tourism sector. There is no need to centralize every thing including home stays at the tourist places.
BJP Member from Udhampur, Pawan Gupta trained guns at the ruling National Conference and termed the Budget as anti- poor and anti-youth. He said the people who talk of fiscal autonomy do not know that J&K is being benefitted much under Modi Govt and with the GST regime.
Gupta pointed out that when, as per Govt figures, the GDP is increasing at the rate of 8.89 % then why tax revenue has fallen. It means there is leakage in the tax revenue or the figures have been fudged and are incorrect. Something is wrong some where, Gupta asserted.
He challenged certain figures quoted in the budget and said there is significant fall in the tax revenue as compared to last year. The BJP MLA touched every sector and said that there was need to do more . He alleged that NC Government has totally failed to honour its promises made with the voters.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and MLA from Srinagar, Tariq Karra questioned the Government’s decision to seek fresh loans under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, claiming that around rupees one lakh crore remains unspent.
Speaking during the budget discussion in the Assembly, Karra said only about 12 per cent of the budget had been utilised for capital expenditure so far. He asked why additional borrowing was being pursued when substantial funds were already available.
The Congress MLA opined that increasing borrowing could place an additional financial burden on Jammu and Kashmir. He also sought clarity on the Government’s plan for utilising existing funds and ensuring effective implementation of development projects.
Maintaining that capital expenditure plays a key role in infrastructure development and employment generation, Karra stressed the need for better utilisation of allocated resources.
BJP MLA from Kalakote Randhir Singh, while speaking on the Budget said that his constituency is being discriminated by the ruling National Conference. He said in budget there is nothing for the common man and people are feeling dejected.
Singh said in his adjoining constituency -Nowshera belonging to DyCM, tenders worth Rs 250 cr were invited for various works while in his Kalakote constituency just worth Rs 1.30 crores during last one year. This is the height of discrimination. He referred to the plight of coal mine workers of Mogla and said that Industries department failed to give their PF/gratuity and other benefits.
The MLA demanded upgradation of Kalakote CHC to Sub Distt Hospital; Taryath PHC/ Hospital to the CHC level; Science stream in Kalakote and Sunderbani Degree colleges, Tehsil building at Siot and water supply to the affected areas.
NC Members Ehsan Pardesi, Mehar Ali, Irshad Kar and Mushtaq Guroo lauded the budget presented by Omar Abdullah in the House and described it as people- friendly. They said many welfare schemes have been introduced by the Omar Government. They referred to hike in pension, free travel for ladies, expansion of sport activities, free LPG cylinder etc. They also referred to the new development projects launched in their respective areas.
NC MLA Javed Reyaz Bedar, in his address, sought to counter the allegation of some opposition members that alleged rigging in 1987 polls was the cause of eruption of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that the militancy was an outcome of years of alienation among Kashmiri masses forced by New Delhi through misuse of power, particularly in 1953 and 1984.
“This misuse of power by the Centre was repeated again two years back when one sided delimitation was done without following norms,” he alleged.
Highlighting local issues of his constituency, the MLA urged the Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control to ensure de-silting of irrigation canals. He also sought Government focus on promoting dairy farming and suggested that levying charges on use of water flowing from J&K can greatly help in generating revenue.
Independent MLA from Langate, Sheikh Khurshid sought intervention of the House to ensure presence of MLA Doda in the Assembly. He hoped that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would also have taken up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the latter’s recent visit to J&K.
Pointing towards LoP Sunil Sharma’s purported statement on killing of innocent civilians during previous tenure of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2010, Sheikh Khurshid said that the BJP should demand constitution of a Truth & Reconciliation Commission to probe all killings since 1990.
The MLA demanded PET scan facility at district level across the J&K, building for Government Degree College Langate and early completion of the incomplete projects. He also alleged fleecing of poor consumers by issuing inflated electricity bills.
Mohd Irfan, Congress MLA from Sopore while supporting the J&K Budget said that many welfare measures have been introduced by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the current budget and every section has been taken care of. It is balanced budget but there is need to resolve the issues of daily wagers , casual and other contractual workers.
Irfan attacked BJP and said Rs 15 lakh of blackmoney lying in the Swiss banks as promised by PM Modi, has not reached in the accounts of the people. He said BJP only works on the hollow slogans and believes in the division of people for its dirty vote bank politics.
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