STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR : The PDP-BJP coalition had to face an embarassing situation in Legislative Assembly (LA) on Thursday when some members of the BJP stormed into well of the House , alleging that directions and assurance were not being carried out over wrong replies given to their questions.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Kathua, Rajeev Jasrotia walked out from the House in protest against Government’s failure to construct a stadium at Kathua.
Taking advantage of protest by BJP, opposition National Conference (NC), Congress and an independent member from Udhampur also joined the issue, raised slogans and criticised the government.
As the Question-Hour was in progress, four to five members from the BJP raised slogans and stormed into the well of the House, asking “What was the use of attending the House when directions and assurance are not being fulfilled”, the members were heard saying.
The NC, Congress and independent member from Udhampur Pawan Kumar Gupta were also on their feet, supporting the agitated BJP members.
Jasrotia alleged that he was promised that a stadium will be constructed at Kathua but nothing has been done so far. He later walked out from the House in protest.
He was joined by other BJP lawmakers Neelam Langeh and Dina Nath and together all protested inside well.
Rajiv Jasrotia said that he was assured in DDB and other meetings but nothing is there at ground. He further said that Kathua has been denied of its rights and I am bound to answer people of Kathua who have voted for me. I will fight for rights of Kathua. I am not satisfied by the reply of Government. Sports are essential part of life, being played across the world at one hand and on the other hand Kathua well known for sports activity is lagging as stadium at Kathua has become victim of negligence of the Govt and administration. Once it was the heart of city where many sports activities like football matches, cricket tournaments, and hockey tournaments were being organized with great enthusiasm. But for the last 3 years no sports activity has taken place in the stadium because of its deteriorating condition. Small pits, holes, rough stones and extra unwanted material laying on the surface of stadium converted the ground into stony and sandy place. Structures built for Gym hall, gymnastic hall, office and toilets are in dismal condition, he added.
All arrangements made for the stadium presently are not worth to conduct the sports activities due to which thousands of youth are staying away from sports activities. MLA Kathua sought constructive initiative to improve the condition of stadium.
Hitting out at Government, Pawan Gupta MLA Udhampur questioned the criterion behind selection of sites to set up sports infrastructure.
Enraged over discrimination with Jammu, the MLA, questioned the rationale behind sanctioning nine out of 12 indoor stadiums for Kashmir Province by the central dispensation. He also registered his concern over the utter neglect of Udhampur in this lopsided decision, in which the constituency failed to figure in the fortunate list of places having indoor stadiums to cater to the needs of aspiring sportsmen.
He also asked about decision of government over commencing work on outdoor stadium at Udhampur and duration taken to get the works completed.
Taking part in debate relating to Transport Department, Gupta seriously viewed the glaring face of JKSRTC in maintenance of its proper account and balance sheets as well as non audit of its account for years together.
He questioned the monopoly of JKSRTC in getting the contracts of transportation of goods from Government Department especially the CAPD Department at very exorbitant rates without adopting the proper tender system. “The JKSRTC ought to be one of the competitors in tendering process though some rate relaxation can be afforded to JKSRTC being Public Sector Corporation. Because of this monopoly, the process has been tailored by the CAPD Department to get transportation job done on hefty commission basis through private transporters and as a result the corporation is compounded to heavy losses despite year-wise grant in aid from the Government contrary to flourishing of private transport business on large scale”, he avowed. He strongly batted for rejuvenation of JKSRTC by taking innovative initiatives and showing courage.
He further suggested that the fleet of trucks engaged for transportation for CAPD commodities must contain particular colour for visible identification and its movement must be properly monitored at all locations by introducing GPS System on the lines of Chhattisgarh Model so as to avoid enroute pilferage. He also raised vociferously issue of release of payment of Rs. 35,000 in each case of accident victims from the Transport Department’s Corpus Fund being its social statutory obligation especially in case of the persons died in road accidents in Udhampur District. He also sought clarification on the future policy of the Government on the State Motor Garage as to whether it is planning to corporatise the same.
However, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh intervened and said that sports in Jammu and Kashmir has been ignored during the past 57 years. He informed the House that a comprehensive policy will be made to develop infrastructure and other facilities for improvement of sports in the state.
” We will approach Centre for sanction of a stadium in every district”, he said.
“You are not fulfilling the assurance of your own members. What will happen to opposition members”, Ali Mohammad Sagar of NC said.
