PDP holds protest in J-K Assembly over imposition of curfew

After uproarious scenes for seven days,though it was normal business in the House today,Omar Abdullah government was under attack from both the ruling and opposition members over the issue of health institutions. One ruling National Conference member from Poonch,Ajaz Jan,even staged walk out from the House complaining delay in the installation of a CT Scan machine at the district hospital in the border town.

“How I will go to the people” (during 2014 polls),he said complaining that since 2009,the government has been only giving him the same assurance year after year that it will be installed soon. The agitating member even came into the well of the House,saying that it was criminal on part of the government not to install the CT Scan machine in the hospital even when money had already been kept for the purpose.

Ruling ally Congress member Ashok Kumar complained that people in his Ramban assembly constituency had to travel 30-40 kms to reach the nearest health institution as they have no medical facility available in their area. The government has not opened any new Primary Health Centre (PHC) or Sub Centre in his constituency during the last one decade,he complained.

Sansar Chand Bhagat also joined the issue complaining lack of medical facilities in his Chenani assembly constituency,saying people at many places have to travel upto 25 kms for medical aid even in cases of minor ailments.

The trouble erupted after Health Minister Shabir Ahmed Khan in a written reply to a question by Abdul Rehman Veeri of Peoples Democratic Party said that there has been sufficient infrastructure as per norms available in all the health institutions across the state.

However,cornering the government on the issue,Veeri asked the minister to disclose as to how many hospitals in the districts had MRI and CT Scan equipments. Pointing out that even doctors posted there were less than their already sanctioned strength,he said that people injured in road accidents were referred to Srinagar and they breath their last before reaching there.

Other opposition members including Harsh Dev Singh from Panthers Party,Chaman Lal Gupta (BJP),Syed Basharat Bukhari (PDP) also joined the issue criticizing state government. Harsh Dev complained that nearly 85 per cent of the health institutions in his Ramnagar constituency were running in kucha houses,which was later accepted by the minister as well.

Yesterday,it was the issue of discrimination in utilization of funds for bad pocket areas by government which came under criticism from members on opposition and treasury benches alike.

Significantly,it has not been the legislators alone,even leaders like Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appear worried about the 2014 polls. Already under attack from opposition Peoples Democratic Party over issues like government deficit and situation in the Valley,Omar while speaking in the House over the killing of a youth in security forces firing at Baramulla on Wednesday,had broken down in the Legislative Assembly.

”What I will tell people outside (the House) that we have been upholding the national flag for this?’’ he wondered. Pointing out that he had to seek apology for actions for which he was not responsible,he said that ”I am being asked to answer question of Afzal Guru,on the return of his mortal remains to his family,an on the use of unnecessary force by the Army. I have to answer for every bullet that they fire at civilians. What replies do I give to my people?’’

With nearly an year left in assembly elections in the state,the fight between ruling National Conference and opposition PDP has got intensified with latter leaving no chance to corner Omar Abdullah and his government. To give a rejuvenated look to both his government and the party,Omar had in January last carried out a major reshuffle inducting ten new faces in his council of ministers,besides appointing his close confidants as new provincial heads of National Conference,both in Kashmir and Jammu provinces.

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