Congress-NC differences surface
6,000 solar cookers distributed among ruling National Conference workers.
JAMMU, March 03: Difference between ruling Alliance partners-Congress and National Conference figured in the Legislative Assembly today when Congress MLA from Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, a former Minister, charged the Government with shifting all 10,000 solar lights and 6,000 solar cookers meant for Kishtwar district to Kishtwar Assembly segment, represented by National Conference MLA and Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mr Saroori, whose Inderwal segment was also part of Kishtwar district, said the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (which is headed by NC leader Dr Farooq Abdullah) had sanctioned 10,000 solar lights, each valued at Rs 12,000 and 6000 solar cookers, each having a cost of Rs 6000, for Kishtwar district.
“My constituency (Inderwal) is also part of Kishtwar district but all 16,000 solar lights and cookers have been shifted to Kishtwar Assembly segments and were being distributed among the workers of a party,” Mr Saroori said.
He claimed that 10 per cent cost of solar cookers had even been paid by the MLA from his Constituency Development Fund for which the Planning Minister had relaxed the rules.
Mr Saroori alleged that this was a clear case of discrimination with his Inderwal Assembly segment.
The Government, however, didn’t respond to the charges made by Mr Saroori.
Meanwhile Opposition PDP member from Kishtwar area also alleged that over 6000 Solar cookers were distributed among the NC workers in district Kishtwar despite assurance by the Government in the House.
The issue was raised by Sayed Asgar Ali from PDP soon after the House started Question Hour today. The PDP member alleged that Solar cookers in the district were distributed in the district on the behest of the NC leaders and in sheer violations of the rules. The public representatives were ignored and despite assurance in the House by the Government, sanctity is not being maintained.
The PDP member sought directions from the ‘Chair’ in this regard and also pressed for constitution of a House Committee for the purpose.
Minister incharge Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra stood up and assured the members that Government would look into the matter. As the member strongly pressed and raised these serious allegations that this has happened in Kishtwar and NC members were showered favours, the MoS Home and Industry Sajjad Kishloo (NC), who hails from Kishtwar stood up and said that a committee headed by Deputy Commissioner was monitoring this all and nothing such has happened.
The member got agitated and claimed that he would bring privileged motion. The Chairman said that Government has already responded into the matter and the member is free to move privileged motion.