SRINAGAR: Several members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday raised significant public issues concerning their constituencies during the Zero Hour, urging the Government to take immediate action.
MLAs Shakti Raj Parihar (Doda West), Advocate Vijay Gupta (Hiranagar), and Pawan Gupta (Udhampur West) called upon the Education Department to expedite the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) for teachers serving in remote areas of Jammu division and to promptly hold Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) for teachers and lecturers awaiting elevation. Responding to their concerns, Minister in charge of the Education Department, Sakeena Itoo, informed the House that a committee had already been constituted to ensure timely execution of the ATD process.
Raising concerns over the harassment of tribal populations, MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, and MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali, urged the Government to restrain forest officials from unnecessary interference and to safeguard the rights of forest-dwelling communities.
MLA Bandipora, Nizammudin Bhat, emphasised adherence to the Business Rules of the House to maintain decorum and ensure smooth legislative proceedings, while MLA Ramban, Arjun Singh Raju, highlighted the need to post an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) in the PHE Sub-Division to ensure efficient departmental functioning.
MLA Banihal, Sajad Shaheen, sought relief and compensation for families affected by a recent fire in his constituency, whereas MLA Jammu East, Yudhvir Sethi, expressed concern over encroachments along the Tawi River, warning of potential flood-related hazards.
MLA Bhaderwah, Daleep Singh Parihar, urged adequate funding for restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure and relief for affected residents, while MLA Ramgarh, Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, raised the issue of farmers allotted custodian land who have not yet received benefits under Government schemes.
MLA Uri, Dr Sajjad Shafi, demanded a dedicated fire tender for Boniyar and rehabilitation assistance for a Darul Uloom institution damaged in a fire, whereas MLA Pampore, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, sought a discussion on the detention of MLA Mehraj Malik and requested urgent de-silting of river channels to prevent recurrent flooding.
MLA Lolab, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone, called for an early snow-clearance plan and establishment of a transformer bank to ensure uninterrupted power supply in winter, while MLA Zainapora, Showkat Hussain Ganai, urged the introduction of a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for B and C grade apples to safeguard growers’ interests.
MLA RS Pora South, Narendra Singh Raina, sought simplification of the process for members of the ST-2 category to obtain certificates, and MLA Shangus-Anantnag East, Reyaz Ahmad Khan, proposed a service bond mandating postgraduate doctors to serve in rural areas to address healthcare shortages.
MLA Kupwara, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, demanded a one-time amnesty for economically weaker power consumers burdened with heavy dues, while MLA Wagoora-Kreeri, Irfan Hafiz Lone, requested suspension of certain business rules to allow a discussion on MLA Mehraj Malik’s arrest.
MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Ali Sadiq, raised concerns over difficulties faced by residents of lake areas in obtaining building permissions, seeking a policy intervention, and MLA Thannamandi, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, urged compensation for flood-affected farmers and inclusion of his area in the proposed power amnesty scheme.
MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, appealed for equitable time allocation for all legislators during proceedings, while MLA Jammu West, Arvind Gupta, demanded completion of the B and J Hospital project and improved civic amenities in his constituency.
MLA Khan Sahib, Saif-ud-Din Bhat, called for sanctioning an additional degree college and a Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facility to support the horticulture sector. MLA Akhnoor, Mohan Lal Bhagat, sought funds for restoring flood-damaged infrastructure and called for a comprehensive flood mitigation plan ahead of winter.
MLA Gurez, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, acknowledged the Government’s developmental initiatives and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for managing the Union Territory under challenging conditions. He, however, highlighted the absence of lecturers in his constituency, with schools borrowing teachers from one another, and noted that health workers are paid as low as Rs 300–400 per month, urging implementation of minimum wage standards.
