Jammu, April 1: The Zero Hour session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday saw legislators bring forth a spectrum of public interest issues, ranging from the welfare of students stranded abroad to concerns over sports infrastructure and government fund accountability.
The Chenab Times has learned that members of the Assembly used the Zero Hour to press the government for immediate action on several pressing matters affecting the Union Territory.
Member of the Legislative Assembly Reyaz Ahmad Khan called for urgent government intervention to facilitate the safe return of students from Jammu and Kashmir who are currently studying in Iran. He underscored the necessity for a coordinated approach to ensure their safety and timely evacuation from the country.
Shabir Ahmad Kullay, another MLA, advocated for the formation of a committee to scrutinize the discrepancies between the officially reported sports infrastructure and the actual facilities available on the ground. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the management of sports resources.
Balwant Singh Mankotia raised concerns regarding the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), particularly focusing on unspent and unaccounted-for funds within various government departments. He stressed the importance of financial prudence and strict adherence to audit recommendations to ensure responsible public expenditure.
In a separate issue, MLA Nizam-ud-din Bhat highlighted a critical shortage of specialist medical staff at the District Hospital Bandipora. He pointed out the absence of a Surgeon Specialist following a recent retirement and urged the authorities to address this deficiency promptly to maintain essential healthcare services for the local population.
The Assembly also engaged in a detailed discussion concerning the salaries, allowances, and related privileges of legislators. Dr. Narinder Singh Raina proposed a structured and periodic revision of legislators’ salaries, suggesting alignment with the patterns adopted for government employees.
Javid Hassan Baig supported the rational revision of salaries, viewing them as a legitimate entitlement of legislators, and advocated for adherence to parliamentary practices. He also noted the importance of discretion in public discussions, given the varied socio-economic backgrounds of the members.
Ranbir Singh Pathania echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for an institutionalized mechanism to revise legislators’ emoluments. He referenced the principles articulated by former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, suggesting that such matters should be addressed through an independent and credible framework to uphold the dignity and sovereignty of the House.
Sajad Gani Lone described the issue of legislator remuneration as a test of the Legislature’s authority and called for a review of any delays in implementing the House’s recommendations.
Nizam-ud-din Bhat further connected the salary issue to broader concerns about legislators’ privileges and protocol, advocating for a comprehensive and merit-based resolution.
Muzaffer Iqbal Khan commented that the proposed salary increase was modest, while a more significant enhancement was suggested for allowances to cover the escalating expenses associated with legislative duties.
Reiterating his earlier points, Shabir Ahmad Kullay emphasized the need to increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocated to legislators. He stated that the current annual allocation of ₹4 crore per constituency is inadequate to meet the developmental expectations of the public.
The Chenab Times News Desk