Muhammad Raafi
SRINAGAR
Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday came under severe criticism “sugar was being supplied to Islamabad constituency only”.
CAPD Minister, Ch Zulfikar Ali, has been under severe pressure from Opposition lawmakers for “disparity” in sugar distribution. Today, the PDP Minister for CAPD, confessed on the floor of the house that state has been facing sugar crisis for last five months.
However, he gave a district-wise break of supply of sugar. Only Srinagar district has, the minister said, at present a significant sugar in store.
The opposition has been demanding constituency-wise break up of sugar supply. But the minister said that there is “nothing like constituency-wise break system”.
The deputy speaker, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, directed the government to get the break-up as demanded by the opposition.
National Conference lawmakers from South Kashmir have been raising the issue of sugar crisis during the holy month of Ramzan. “There is an allegation that sugar has been only supplied and distributed in Islamabad,” former speaker, and NC’s Sonwar lawmaker, Mohammad Akbar Lone told the house. “Because By-Polls are being held in Islamabad, sugar supply has been particularly shifted to this constituency,” Lone alleged.
Notably, CM Ms Mehbooba Mufti is fighting elections from Islamabad from assembly segment and NC has been accusing government of “such favours”.
While NC demanded constituency-wise break up, BJP’s Doda lawmaker too stood from his seat and asked the government to give distribution of sugar in his constituency. To this, NC’s Pahalgam lawmaker, Altaf A Kaloo, responded, “you will be given sugar only when Doda will go for elections.” This remark of Kaloo invited laughter from the opposition benches.
Responding to the allegations of Opposition, PDP’s Chadoora lawmaker, Javaid Mustafa Mir asked Opposition lawmakers to present the proof of such grave allegations. “If they (Opposition lawmakers) have any proof of supplying sugar to Islamabad constituency only, they should present it in house,” Mir told the chair.
He also sought expunging of ‘Kaloo’s Doda election’ remark.
Meanwhile, the lower house is debating grants to Revenue Ministry.
