SRINAGAR: MLA Nagrota, Devyani Rana on Saturday paid tribute to her late father and senior leader Devender Singh Rana while expressing concern over cuts in disaster management funding and several civic issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir.
Delivering her maiden speech during the Budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly while participating in the discussion on the Budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Rana said the reduction in disaster management allocations was worrying at a time when the Union Territory faces increasing risks from climate-related disasters. She stressed the need for equitable relief, improved preparedness and resilient infrastructure, noting that lowering disaster-related funding sends the wrong message when people are dealing with floods, landslides and extreme weather events.
Highlighting the situation of sanitation workers, the Nagrota legislator urged the government to ensure responsibility for those maintaining public sanitation facilities and called for regular and fair payment of their wages. She also raised concerns about the electricity sector, describing the condition of the Power Development Department (PDD) as troubling, particularly in terms of capital expenditure and infrastructure development, and said power shortages and weak systems continue to affect residents, including those in the capital region.
Rana reminded the government that elected representatives have been sent to the Assembly to serve the people and that their issues must be addressed with sincerity and urgency.
Speaking with Kashmir Life, she said the Nagrota Assembly constituency remains a responsibility of the Rana family and that she will always stand with the people.
Commenting on the Budget, she said the government should take criticism in a positive spirit for public welfare, and added that while she cannot fill her father’s place, she will strive to follow in his footsteps in public service.
