Srinagar: Charging the PDP-led government of running away from the Assembly to avoid discussions on burning issues in the state, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Sunday said that credibility of institutions in Jammu and Kashmir was being gradually eroded.
While addressing day-long party convention at Anantnag, Tarigami said that J&K is a state where atleast there should be 100-day Assembly session in a year as the problems of people here are enormous.
“But instead reverse is being done. This year, the Assembly session was called for one and half days and that too for a formality to pass the GST Act in the state,” he said.
Describing Assembly as heart of democracy, he said it was a forum for discussion on several burning issues people of the state are facing with.
“The Assembly reflects the voice of the people and all respect should be given to it. The Assembly needs a discussion on issues pertaining to people and the Government needs to come up with answers. However, the failure to convene Assembly session is a reflection of this Government’s lack of respect for institutions. This Government is avoiding calling Assembly as it is afraid of giving answers on its failures which will expose them before the people,” he added.
On Chief Minister’s ‘public outreach’ programme, he said, her efforts to use her energy to hold public darbars cannot do justice to the people unless appropriate institutions for grievance redressal and self governance are strengthened.
“The methods of governance need urgently some innovations and improvements. Any over centralized system will only weaken the institutions. The government should focus on strengthening the virtually defunct District development Boards(DDBs). It would have been more useful if the CM and her cabinet colleagues are attending DDBs and take decisions in consultation with its members. The fact remains that with the meager allocations to the DDBs, these have been reduced to non-entities. Meeting people and holding public grievances is good but it should not undermine the credibility of the institutions,” he pointed out.
Ghulam Nabi Malik, State Secretary, CPI(M) criticized the government for neglecting the problems and burning issues of the people. Referring to the irregular and erratic power supply in the rural areas, he alleged that the fee charged by the Power Department is in no way justified as the consumers don’t get even two hours of un-interrupted power supply.
He said that people of the valley are complaining about poor power supply that has created numerous problems for the people in general.
“Many areas in Kashmir are living under perpetual darkness in absence of electricity supply or due to extremely low voltage compelling people to arrange alternative sources of illumination during the peak hours of the day. This is a serious issue which merits immediate attention of government. He demanded immediate implementation of crop insurance scheme,” he said.
Malik also demanded immediate release of youth books during last year’s unrest.
