Associated News Bureau

Legislators Raise Public Issues During Zero Hour in J&K Assembly

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 29: Legislators on Tuesday raised a wide range of public issues concerning healthcare, education, roads, irrigation, employment, civic infrastructure and other developmental matters during the Zero Hour of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen highlighted the shortage of staff in educational and health institutions in his constituency and sought installation of a CT scan facility at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal. He also called for rationalisation of Patwar Halqas and GQ circles in accordance with population growth. MLA Pattan Javid Riyaz Bedar urged the Government to upgrade Community Health Centre (CHC) Pattan to a Sub-District Hospital in view of the heavy patient footfall at the facility. MLA Bahu Ch. Vikram Randhawa sought withdrawal of notices issued by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to shopkeepers in Jammu. Legislator Surjeet Singh Slathia supported the issue, stating that Change of Land Use (CLU) provisions were not applicable at the time and the affected shopkeepers should not be required to furnish such documents. MLA Kupwara Mir Mohammad Fayaz sought upgradation of schools in his constituency and provision of SRTC bus services for students who travel long distances to reach educational institutions. MLA Eidgah Mubarik Gul called for greater promotion of the Kashmiri language in schools and sought protection of water bodies in Srinagar through fresh demarcation and dredging. MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq appealed to the Government to consider withdrawal of FIRs registered against juveniles during protests over the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei, citing the recent decision in Ladakh as a precedent. He also sought formulation of a policy for providing pensionary benefits to journalists in Jammu and Kashmir. MLA Rajouri Iftkar Ahmed urged the Government to appoint a full-fledged Registrar at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) and enhance its Grant-in-Aid. He also sought establishment of catheterisation laboratory and MRI facilities at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri. MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar sought inclusion of six far-flung roads in the district's annual plan and called for measures to address the water crisis in Kishtwar. MLA Uri Dr. Sajjad Shafi sought formulation of a scheme on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) to fill vacant teaching posts in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir. MLA Gulabgarh Er. Khurshid Ahmed raised the issue of staff shortages in health and educational institutions in his constituency. He also sought resolution of land compensation issues faced by farmers. MLA Akhnoor Mohan Lal sought assessment of losses caused by hydroelectric projects and raised concerns over shortage of electricity and other public infrastructure in his constituency. MLA Anantnag East-Shangus Riyaz Ahmad Khan called for upgradation of irrigation facilities, restoration of water bodies and completion of pending road connectivity projects in his constituency. MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta sought initiation of the second phase of the Bone and Joint Hospital in Jammu and deployment of specialist doctors at the facility. MLA Bijbehara Dr. Syed Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri raised the issue of removing the educational qualification bar for Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) posts. He also sought implementation of the Minimum Wages Act for consolidated employees of the Government. MLA Khansahib Saif-ud-Din Bhat raised issues related to land for the Degree College and drew the Government's attention to defunct irrigation schemes in his constituency. MLA Mehraj Malik called for recruitment at the local level and establishment of a separate Hill Development Division for the Chenab region. He also sought removal of the educational qualification bar for MTS posts and enhancement of risk allowance for eligible employees. MLA Surankote Choudhary Mohammad Akram sought relief for families and farmers affected by recent floods and demanded allotment of five marlas of land to households whose homes were damaged in the floods. MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik sought establishment of a fruit and vegetable mandi at Tral, macadamisation of roads in his constituency and improved promotion prospects for Accounts Assistants recruited in 2019. MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone sought Government intervention to address connectivity issues in his constituency and called for construction of a hospital building and playgrounds.