Jammu: The discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s Address continued for the second consecutive day in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, with members raising constituency-specific concerns alongside broader issues related to governance and development across the Union Territory.
During the debate, Shamim Firdous drew attention to students and youth from Jammu and Kashmir lodged in central jails outside the UT. She urged the government to take up the matter with the Union Government to facilitate their early release or transfer to Srinagar Central Jail.
Participating in the discussion, Sajjad Shaheen described the Lieutenant Governor’s Address as a continuation of the government’s development vision for Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting improvements in power supply, water availability, road infrastructure, healthcare, education, and tourism.
Irfan Hafiz Lone raised concerns over alleged harassment of Kashmiri students and workers in other parts of the country and called upon the government to take up the issue with the Union Government to ensure their safety.
Highlighting the plight of daily wagers, Surjit Singh Slathia spoke about rising unemployment and the closure of industrial units in the UT. He urged the government to revive SIDCO and SICOP to boost industrial activity and employment.
Balwant Singh Mankotia stressed the need to conduct Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections and raised concerns over unscheduled power cuts causing inconvenience to people during the harsh winter season
Speaking in support of the Motion of Thanks, Reyaz Ahmad Khan said the government had taken several initiatives for the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that sectors such as power, health, and education had witnessed significant improvement over the past 14 months, adding that a clear path of development had emerged since Omar Abdullah assumed office
Muzaffar Iqbal Khan acknowledged improvements in the power, Jal Shakti, and road connectivity sectors but said more needed to be done in his constituency. He also spoke about restoration of statehood and safeguarding land and employment rights.
Raising youth-related concerns, Waheed ur Rehman Parra highlighted issues related to reservation, merit, and special assistance schemes, and demanded early resolution of pending reservation matters.
Dr. Narinder Singh Raina said that national development depends on the growth of states and Union Territories. He raised issues concerning electricity charges and encroachments, and demanded the opening of a veterinary hospital and industrial estates in his constituency.
Supporting the Motion, Mubarik Gul highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the government for the overall development of the UT.
In his address, Satish Kumar Sharma spoke about issues faced by daily wagers and ASHA workers. He also raised concerns over damage to agricultural produce by wild animals and sought adequate compensation for affected farmers.
Iftikar Ahmed appreciated the government, particularly the Education Department, for regularising CPWs. He demanded regularisation of daily wagers and casual labourers and called for a comprehensive recruitment policy for newly established Government Medical Colleges to address staff shortages
Praising the government’s performance, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone said a new phase of development had begun over the past 15 months. He also lauded the change in the academic session in schools.
Gharu Ram Bhagat raised several constituency-specific issues of public importance during his participation in the debate
Speaking in favour of the Motion, Abdul Majeed Larmi demanded compensation for farmers whose fruit produce was affected by highway closures and sought a halt for the Vande Bharat train at Anantnag Railway Station.
Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi raised issues related to political prisoners along with other concerns pertaining to his constituency
Participating in the debate, Darshan Kumar highlighted the need for upgradation of schools and addressing staff shortages in educational institutions.
Concluding the day’s discussion, Khurshied Ahmed commended the performance of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and appreciated the restoration of the Darbar Move, enhancement of the marriage assistance scheme, and removal of the educational bar in the scheme.
