Riyaz Ul Khaliq
SRINAGAR
The most of the Question was devoured by hue and cry over new advertisement policy issued by the current government.
First, it was Mubarak Gul who was took on Minister Naeem Akhtar for his “translation remark”.
Mubarak Gul read a question on behalf of NC’s Devender Singh Rana, who is absent today, asking government whether government was reviewing the new advertisement policy.
After Government spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar, said, “representations made by Press Associations called on us and we will see how to go ahead keeping in view the financial health of institutions.”
Mubarak Gul had said that under previous the J&K newspapers were paid according to Union government’s DAVP policy. “But rates have now been curtailed,” Gul said.
“I think MLA sahab didn’t understand my answer (in English), I will have now to translate it in Urdu,” Naeem Akhtar said. The reply of Education Minister forced Gul to stand up and he ridiculed the government “how it was demeaning the lawmakers”. “I am a senior member,” Gul told the treasury benches, “and we know how you reached here.”
Later, Congress’s Ladakh lawmaker, Nawang Rigzin Jora while reading out his supplementary asked government either roll back the new advertisement policy or delete the clauses to which media houses are objecting to.
“And I suggest the members of this government,” Jora told the house, “don’t threaten media.”
Earlier, when the house resumed its business, Nawang Rigzin Jora accused the government of “implementing the policy beforehand”. This infuriated PDP Minister Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura who stood up and challenged Congress lawmaker to prove his claims. “Either prove, tour government will resign or if your claim was wrong, you will have to resign.”
“He is misleading the house,” Hanjura told the Speaker.
