By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : The largest opposition party of Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference, once again stalled the proceedings of the state legislative assembly over the much publicized Kundal Committee Report, which probed the alleged misappropriation and irregularities in the forest department, forcing the speaker to adjourn the House for around two hours.
Even as the government agreed to hold discussion over the report in the House, National Conference members boycotted the proceedings criticizing the chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for `non-action’.
Soon after the House, met here on Monday, the NC members joined by the MLAs of National Panthers Party were on their feet demanding action against the ministers named by chief secretary BR Kundal in his investigation report on alleged irregularities and bungling in the forest department.
Accusing the ruling alliance of launching a disinformation campaign against his party, Leader of opposition and former finance minister AR Rather said that National Conference was not stalling the proceedings of the House but “we also want that the public issues be raised in the House”.
He said that statements were being issued by the ruling party members that NC was not interested in discussing the issues of public importance which is far from the truth.
While Rather was clearing his party stand, Health minister Mangat Ram Sharma intervened and said, “Ap Ki Kathni Aur Karni Main Bohat Farak Hai” (There is a difference between what you say and what you do).
He said that the opposition members were disrupting the House proceedings without any purpose as the discussions on the Kundal report was listed in Monday’s business.
The NC members, who were already on their feet, started raising slogans against the government and in favour of their demand. The Speaker Tara Chand, however, tried to conduct the proceedings amid ding and commotion.
As the opposition members continued their protest, the Speaker was forced the House for half an Hour at 10:18 AM.
After hectic efforts by speaker and the chief minister in his office chambers, the House again met at 12:30 PM. However, soon after the Speaker took over his seat, NC members were seen on their feet again.
AR Rather stood up and once again tried to clear the position of his party over the issue. “We want the House to conduct its proceedings but discussion is not our demand”, he said adding, “The NC remained firm on its grounds and there is no change in our stance that the tainted minister will have to go”.
“Precedence demand that the tainted minister should go as their names clearly figure in the inquiry report”, Rather said asking the Chief Minsiter to assure that an action will be taken against the ministers after the House discusses the matter.
The NC member was interrupted by the PHE minister Dillawar Mir, who accused the opposition for creating unnecessary hue and cry. “We have agreed for discussion but you can be allowed to dictate terms in the House”, he said while pointing towards Rather, who continued to seek the statement from the chief minister.
“The entire state is watching at your Mr CM”, Rather said adding, “The NC will not participate in the proceeding until dust is cleared from the Kundal Committee Report”. He added that NC will not divert from its stand and there is no question of entering into any sort of compromise with the government over the issue.
In an attempt to pacify the opposition, the chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that his government was ready to discuss the issue in the House and “I am not in a position to promise or commit any thing beyond the discussion”.
“You can ask a judge to deliver judgment without hearing the arguments from the two sides”, Azad said adding, “Both opposition and ruling parties have a chance to prove their point over the report as the House discussed the report”.
However, the attempt made by Azad turned futile as the opposition continued to press for an assurance.
PHE minister Dillawar Mir once again stood to counter the opposition members and got a stunned reply from Rather. “You will not have to decide but it is Chair to decide over the matter. I will expose you”, Rather shouted.
As the Speaker Tara Chand asked the chief minister to present his grants, the opposition members came in the front row and started raising slogans. Rather informed the House that his party will not participate in the proceedings as the government is adamant not to accept the genuine demand of the opposition parties.