Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed discussions for the second day on the Motion of Thanks for Lieutenant Governor’s address delivered to the legislature on the first day of the Budget session.
The debate covered wide array of topics including Indus Water Treaty, filling up of vacancies in government departments, rationalisation of reservation policy and return of power projects.
Initiating the debate, Surjit Singh Slathia, said that the people have elected us to solve their problems and we have a responsibility to live upto their expectations. He praised the efforts of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who for the first time, held series of district level consultations regarding the budget preparation. “We do not doubt CM Omar Abdullah’s intentions and we do understand that the government is in its nascent stage so we hope that they will fulfil all the promises made with the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, he asserted.
Singh further said that abrogation of Article 370 has brought a new dawn of development in Jammu and Kashmir.
While commenting on the Motion of Thanks, Dr Basheer Ahmad Veeri hailed the Omar Abdullah government for taking a unique initiative of holding meetings with different sections of the society to ensure the budget is reflective of the needs and priorities of all regions. He said that it is for the first time that people have participated in the Assembly elections in such large number.
Veeri talked about the Indus Water treaty saying that it prevents Jammu and Kashmir from utilizing the water’s full potential for Hydel Power generation. He also deliberated about the issue of filling up of all vacancies in the government departments besides other developmental needs of people.
Nizamuddin Bhat, in his speech, said that, “We have to take strong initiatives for restoration of statehood and nominate an all party delegation or a panel of the house that would present the case to the Union Government,” he maintained.
He said that it is constitutionally imperative on the Union Government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and respect their promises made on the floor of the Parliament.
Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir talked on unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir saying that concrete steps need to be taken for creating employment opportunities for the people here.
Rajeev Jasrotia praised the Omar Abdullah government for taking into confidence all stakeholders, elected representatives before formulation of the budget saying that it is for the first time in history that pre-budget consultations were held. He also reminded the government of the promises made in the manifesto that were supposed to be fulfilled within the first three months. He said that certain issues in the manifesto were missing in the Lieutenant Governor’s address.
He also highlighted many initiatives taken by BJP led government and said that we will work as a respectable opposition for the welfare of people.
Waheed Para, while participating in the debate, said that the good governance must be ensured for the people. He also urged the Chief Minister to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth at the appropriate forum.
Participating in the debate, Javaid Riyaz, said that we should work collectively for restoration of statehood.
Irfan Hafeez Lone said that it is good that the government is committed for full restoration of statehood and I hope that Omar Abdullah will live up to this expectation of the people. “When we are on the same page, we should take a united front for restoration of statehood,” he added.
He also talked about the issue of casual labours, free electricity, return of power projects, sustainable development and protection of fragile environment among other issues.
Ali Mohd Sagar, while participating in discussion on Motion of Thanks on LG’s address, said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a thumping mandate to this Government. He added that this government is the voice of the people and in coming time all the commitments will be fulfilled by this government.
