J&K Assembly Proceedings: MLAs highlight several issues of public importance during Zero Hour today

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 27: During the Zero Hour of the ongoing session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today, Members from across party lines raised a range of public interest issues concerning their constituencies and the UT at large, seeking urgent attention and redressal from the Government.

Earlier Sajad Gani Lone, MLA Handwara, raised a procedural point over rejection of his adjournment motion regarding rationalization of reservations through a cabinet sub-committee. Responding, the Speaker clarified that Assembly Rules allow adjournment motions only on matters of recent occurrence and not on issues pending adjudication in courts.

Sajad Shaheen, MLA Banihal, demanded a one-hour discussion in the House over the arrest of MLA Doda, Mehraj Malik. In this regard, Nazir Ahmad khan suggested constitution of a committee to examine the legality of the PSA invoked against Malik. Supporting procedural clarity, RS Pathania, MLA Udhampur East, observed that imposition of PSA is the prerogative of the District Magistrate and subject to judicial scrutiny.

Raising infrastructure-related issues, Yudhvir Sethi, MLA Jammu East, sought immediate restoration of the Bhagwati Nagar Bridge damaged during recent floods. Shakti Parihar, MLA Doda West, requested rehabilitation of families affected by land sinking in Kastigarh and restoration of the Ramgarh road. Pyarelal Sharma, MLA Inderwal, and Dr Rameshwar Singh, MLA Bani, also urged rehabilitation of flood-affected families and restoration of damaged roads and infrastructure.

S.S. Salathia, MLA Samba, highlighted the agitation of PHE Department daily wagers demanding regularization, noting that the ongoing strike was disrupting regular water supply. He further sought release of long-pending public deposits from the Jammu & Kashmir State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ltd. (formerly CLDB). Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, MLA Pampore, requested deployment of water tankers in Pampore and Kakapora to ensure safe drinking water supply.

Several MLAs raised issues related to connectivity and road projects. Nizamuddin Bhat, MLA Bandipora, sought early completion of the Sumbal-Bandipora-Gurez road. Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, MLA Langate, flagged delays in CRF-funded road projects. Choudhary Mohammad Akram, MLA Surankot, urged completion of the Bafliaz road, while Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir, MLA Rajpora, pressed for restoration of damaged bridges in his constituency. Mir Saifullah demanded DPR formulation for the proposed Keran tunnel to improve border connectivity.

On developmental fronts, Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, MLA Srigufwara-Bijbehara, demanded that the Jablipora Fruit Mandi be developed as per its original DPR to serve as an international fruit terminal, besides seeking introduction of a Market Intervention Scheme for horticulturists. Rafiq Ahmad Naik, MLA Tral, and Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, MLA Anantnag West, both sought establishment of Cold Storage and CA stores in their respective areas to aid fruit growers.

Tourism-related issues were prominently raised by Dr. Shafi Ahmad wani MLA Beerwah, who sought reopening of closed tourist destinations including Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, Tosamaidan, and Drang, while Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, MLA Tangmarg, echoed similar concerns, calling for early restoration of tourism activities.

Several members also flagged matters concerning administrative outreach and education. Kuldeep Raj Dubey, MLA Reasi, demanded setting up of an SDM office at Pouni/Arnas for public convenience, while Pawan Gupta, MLA Udhampur, urged restoration of work on the upcoming GMC Udhampur, stalled due to relocation issues with the ITI. Baldev Raj Sharma, MLA Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, pressed for speedy establishment of the IMS Katra project.

Social and humanitarian concerns were also voiced during the Zero Hour. Shameem Firdous, MLA HabbaKadal, sought constitution of a committee comprising retired judges and senior police officers to review cases of Valley youth jailed in prisons outside J&K.

Dr Sajjad Shafi, MLA Uri, highlighted pending relief for families whose houses were damaged during Operation Sindoor, while Zafar Ali Khatana, MLA Kokernag, sought relief measures for nomadic families affected by floods.

Arjun Singh, MLA Ramban, brought to the notice of the House the kidnapping of a person belonging to his constituency in Niger and urged the Government to take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs for his early repatriation.

Rafiq Ahmad Naik and Iftikhar Choudhary, along with Saif-ud-Din Bhat, urged that Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) works be taken up concurrently with ongoing departmental enquiries to avoid disruption in water supply schemes. Aijaz Ahmed Jan, MLA Poonch, called for early release of scholarships for tribal students, and Salman Sagar, MLA Hazratbal, demanded release of pending salaries of Khidmat Centre (CSC) operators.