Saroori seeks probe against ex-DC Kishtwar for surrendering 5 crores for earthquake victims.

Staged a walkout over “regularization of PHE daily wagers and enhancement of SPOs wages to Rs 6,000

Jammu, March 05: - Congress MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori on the last day of Assembly session demanded probe against former Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Bashir Khan for surrendering an amount of Rs. 5 Crore meant for relief to Kishtwar earthquake victims.

While raising the issue in Legislative Assembly, Saroori created uproar in assembly over the issue and demand an inquiry against former DC Kishtwar who surrender the amount at the cost of the innocent and poor people who lost their property in said earthquake.

He said that government sanctioned Rs 19 crore for distribution among the earthquake victims of Doda and Kishtwar District and added that in Rs 19 Cr, Kishtwar District got share of Rs. 5 crore.

Saroori said that DC Doda spent an amount of Rs. 14 and distributed the same among the victims, while DC Kishtwar fails to carry out the exercise and instead surrender the said amount. He said that even though concern Patwari's, Tehsildar and revenue officials carried out a detail exercise and prepared the relief cases, but added that DC Kishtwar unnecessary surrender the said money.

He said that on the bases of report prepared by the revenue staff, state cabinet even approached union government for special package of over Rs 600 crore as a relief fund. He said that by surrendering the said amount, the former DC Kishtwar even violated the cabinet order who granted relief for the quake victims.

Saroori also submitted the list of one of his Panchayat in which alone 5 houses got completely damaged. He said that these five cases are an eye opener that damages has taken place during the earthquake and alleged that former DC did not perform his duty. He challenges the speaker and added that if the list submitted by him to the chair proved wrong, he will resign as an MLA.

He also slammed his own government over failure in distribution of free ration among victims as was announced by the government.

On protest, the speaker Mubarak Gul assured Congress MLA that he will seek the detail report from the government over the issue and assured him action in case of dereliction of duty. It is pertinent to mention that 29,000 houses have been reported damaged partially, 10500 severely and 655 fully in Doda district alone while 18000 houses have been partially damaged, 2700 severely and 70 fully in Kishtwar district. 494 schools, 12 PHCs and 273 Community Centres have been damaged severely in the Doda district as against 169 schools in Kishtwar.

Later Saroori staged a walkout from the Assembly over the issues of “regularization of PHE daily wagers and enhancement of SPOs wages to Rs. 6,000”. Expressing dissatisfaction over the reply of the Finance Minister, BJP, NPP, JSM, CPI (M) MLA M Y Tarigami, and PDF MLA Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen joined the cause with Saroori and demanding regularization of PHE daily wagers, SPOs enhancement in their wages.

The members also called for re-engaging all such SPOs who have been disengaged in past and staged a walkout during Zero Hour.

Later Mr. Saroori also thanked the Speaker Mr. Mubarak Gul for smooth conduct of business during the session.

Meanwhile Minister for R&B, Mr. Abdul Majid Wani was replying to a Calling Attention Notice of Mr. G. M Saroori in the House.

He informed the Legislative Assembly that during the construction of Cherhar Bunjwar Road by R&B Division, Kishtwar, 22 year old namely Mr. Mohammad Rafiq S/o Abdul Gani R/O Kuchhal got injured. He said necessary medical assistance was immediately provided to the injured person, but unfortunately, the said person expired while being shifted to the hospital.

Wani further said that the Labour Court has been informed and whatever claim becomes due to the deceased as per Labour laws and as decided by the Court, the same shall be paid to the legal heirs of the deceased as soon as claim is announced by the Court.

It is pertinent to mention here that deceased was reportedly hit by the shooting stone and after coming under the influence of shooting stone, he falls from a cliff and landed into deep gorge. The construction work of the said road is taken by the R&B department on its own and the road is being constructed by the department since last nearly two years.