J&K Assembly witnesses noisy scenes over Sheikh Abdullah, Maharaja Hari Singh holidays

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a walkout by BJP members amid noisy scenes after a ruling National Conference (NC) MLA demanded that either the holiday on the birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Abdullah be restored or the holiday on the anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh be cancelled.

As soon as the proceedings began, ruling National Conference (NC) MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi made the demand. However, the BJP MLAs opposed it, creating a ruckus in the House.

BJP MLA Devayani Rana said the holiday on the anniversary of the Maharaja could not be cancelled.

Supporting the demand for holiday on former chief minister Abdullah’s anniversary, NC MLA Nazir Gurezi said the NC founder was the peoples’ leader.

As the BJP members raised slogans against the government, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather asked them that if Larmi has put his view in the House, why were they protesting. He asked the BJP MLAs to take their seats.

NC chief whip Mubarak Gul said the demand for holiday on Abdullah’s anniversary is the party’s stand. “The NC government was there for many years. But, we did not change any name or cancel holidays,” he said.

The PDP also supported the demand for a holiday on Abdullah’s anniversary.

PDP MLA Waheed Para however, said the party also wants the restoration of holiday on July 13 as a tribute to those killed while protesting against the Maharaja’s rule. The NC MLAs also supported Para’s demand.

As the ruckus continued, BJP MLA Surjit Sing Slathia said his party wants the House to function and demanded answers from the government on the issues raised by the opposition.

Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat said “hooliganism” will not be allowed and there should be a consensus on the issue of the holiday.

The Speaker said the issue will not be resolved by creating ruckus in the assembly.

AAP MLA Mehraj Malik raised the issue of amnesty to electricity consumers. Malik walked out of the House after he was not allowed to speak.

Replying to a question tabled by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government is examining on merits the matter of reintroducing or extending the Amnesty Scheme for power consumers, while stressing that repeated waivers of electricity dues would be unfair to consumers who pay their bills on time.

“Giving amnesty repeatedly is injustice with those who pay bills on time and it also encourages consumers not to pay bills on time and wait for amnesty,” Omar said.

Replying to a question tabled by MLA Saif-ud-Din Bhat, Omar said that the Government cannot replicate the Gulmarg model of tourism infrastructure at every destination in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that development plans must take into account the unique character, attractions and visitor potential of individual destinations.