JAMMU: The Legislative Council on Tuesday witnessed some unusual moments while 11 out of 14 members present in the House for the first time supported the private members resolution urging the State Government to declare September 23, birth day of as State holiday.
The resolution was moved by Ajatshatru Singh, grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh and a BJP member in the upper House. Though an attempt was made by the PDP Minister Naeem Akhtar to convince Ajatshatru Singh to withdraw his resolution by claiming that if one more holiday is added in the fat list of 51 holidays, it might affect the delivery of public services.
The State Government, which observes July 13, and December 5 as state holidays had seldom attempted to trim down the fat list of holidays to streamline the delivery of public services. While moving the resolution, Ajatshartu Singh said that the historic contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh needs to be acknowledged. “It would be a tribute to him if the State declares official holiday on his birth day. Besides ushering in various reforms during his reign, Maharaja Hari Singh had signed Instrument of Accession on October 26,1947 before acceding the princely state with the union of India.
The opposition members from National Conference and Congress were not present in the House when the private members resolution was adopted. The resolution was seconded by PDP member Vikramaditya Singh. Minister for Education and Leader of the House, Naeem Akhtar, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh, Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Jehangir Hussain Mir, legislators Ashok Khajuria, Vikramaditya Singh, Surinder Mohan Ambardar, Ramesh Arora, Firdous Tak, Surinder Kumar Chowdhary and Vibodh Gupta participated in the discussion.
While participating in the discussion Naeem Akhtar said the state is already observing 51 holidays in a calendar year in govt offices, financial institutions, and educational institutions.
In comparison the Govt of India normally prescribes 17 Gazetted holidays and two restricted holidays during a calendar year. Given the existing number of holidays being observed at various levels in the State, it may not be feasible to further increase the number as the same is likely to affect the delivery of public services. He even requested the member to withdraw the resolution while assuring that it could be considered after holding discussion with all other stakeholders. But Ajatshatru Singh stood his ground and pressed for the resolution. The resolution was later passed by voice vote.