KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
As soon as the business resumed in Lower House of J&K Legislature on Friday – 21st day of current budget session – the Opposition Lawmakers created ruckus on the issue of promotions in the reserved category community in state.
Led by Congress, the protesting lawmakers wanted an assurance from government on the floor of the house that “it will amend the law and promotions top backward classes will be given on category basis only”.
The members raised anti-government and pro-reserved class people. They were joined by a few ruling coalition’s BJP and PDP lawmakers. The intense sloganeering forced Speaker to stand up from his and aske the Opposition lawmakers to take their respective seats, however, it had no effect on the protesting lawmakers.
The disgruntled lawmakers have been raising issue for last many days but government is saying that the issue of reservation in promotions in backward class is sub-judice.
Today the house has to discuss grants to social welfare sector and the lawmakers want speaker to direct the government to “assure the house that whatever the decision of court be, it will amend the act and give promotions on reservation basis in backward class”.
Amid din, responding to the issue raised by the lawmakers, Law Minister, Ab Haq Khan told the house that government is “unable to do anything until and unless Court decides the matter.
He said, “previous government had brought in an act which would affect promotions on the basis of reservations in backward class.” “The act was struck down by J&K High Court,” he added.
Later, the minister said, the three petitions were filed in Supreme Court and “the matter is pending there”. “Let us wait for the decision,” he told the Opposition benches.
The response didn’t satisfy the protesting lawmakers and pressurised the treasury benches to assure the house that the law will be amended. “How come it is possible,” the minister told the house, “when the act has already been stayed back HC.”
Earlier, CAPD Minister informed the house that the issue “is under consideration of the government”. “The delegation of legislators which met the CM yesterday also raised this issue. But let us wait for the SC decision.”
However, the Opposition Lawmakers staged walk out from the house.
