Tarigami bats for all party meeting on statehood
Jammu, Feb 3: Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA M Y Tarigami on Tuesday robustly advocated for the conduct of an all-party meeting to deliberate the issue of “disempowerment of J&K region and its Legislative Assembly” and seek restoration of statehood.
“This issue does not relate to one party. I have repeatedly urged the Chief Minister to convene an all-party meeting to discuss why, despite a historic mandate, the Assembly is being weakened, and the region is not being empowered,” Tarigami said, while participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address.
“If J&K is an integral part, restore democracy here too,” he stated. Appealing for the strengthening of democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that it should not be treated as a favour but as a test of Indian democracy.
He also proposed that the Budget should have a provision for a separate climate fund for Jammu and Kashmir, on the lines of provisions made in other States and Union Territories, to effectively address climate-related challenges.
He expressed concern over what he termed the “disempowerment” of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, claiming that, despite receiving a public mandate, elected representatives were finding it difficult to exercise authority.
“I only wish to submit this — wherever the Honourable LG may be, perhaps he should hear this — that ministers repeatedly say today that they are disempowered, but what pains me even more is how disempowered this entire House feels,” he pointed out.
The CPI(M) leader mentioned that the perception of officers not listening to elected representatives spanned across party lines and was privately acknowledged by members from both the ruling and opposition sides. He also called for the government to prioritise job creation.
On the subject of reservation, Tarigami asserted that it was the right of socially underprivileged communities, but cautioned against neglecting meritorious students, which could lead to unrest.
He sought a detailed debate in the Assembly on the issue and asked the government to clarify when the report of a committee constituted on reservation rationalisation would be implemented.
Referring to flood damage in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Tarigami said that disaster relief and restoration efforts had been inadequate.
The MLA also raised concerns about the security situation in the Valley, alleging the harassment of individuals based on minor or unverified allegations.
Taking exception to the profiling of mosques and Imams and other related persons, he said, “There should be no compromise on security, but winning people's trust is equally important. If harassment and indiscriminate actions continue, it will further damage the security environment. Journalists, who reported it, too were summoned to the Police Stations.”
Referring to demolition drives, saying any demolition should be carried out strictly in accordance with the law, with prior notice and an opportunity for affected persons to present their case.
On this account, he referred to the case of demolition of house of a journalist in Jammu and appreciated that Jammuite, a retired military official, who offered his 5-Marla land to the journalist’s family for constructing the house, “This act shows – Jammu, as I envision it, is still alive and breathing. I salute him who demonstrated this spirit of camaraderie,” he said.
