J and K assembly adjourned over back door appointments

Jammu, Mar 23 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly adjourned today for 30 minutes as the opposition created a furore over alleged irregularities in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.

The Lower House witnessed uproarious scenes when the opposition demanded that action be taken against PHE minister Qazi Afzal as he allegedly misled the house. As the question hour began the National Conference leaders were up on their feet demanding clarification about the statement given by Mr Qazi Afzal yesterday.

When repeated directions from Speaker Tara Chand to the Opposition leaders to take their seats did not have any impact, he adjourned the house for 30 minutes.

The Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather said, Mr Afzal had announced the cancellation of all the appointments from November 2000 onwards in the House while earlier he had denied the charges of backdoor appointments.

Talking to news persons he said, being the custodian of the house, the Speaker should take action against Mr Afzal under breach of privilege of the house and he must be punished.

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