Jammu: Walkout in Legislative Council

Srinagar, Aug 20: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council (LC) today witnessed noisy scenes and a walk out by the Opposition National Conference (NC) members during the question hour and zero hour.

As the house met for the day, some members were on their feet demanding a discussion on Khandoora arms and ammunition depot fire and blasts leading to migration of thousands of affected villagers from their houses.

However, order was restored after chairman said he has received a notice and will allow a full discussion on the issue.

The members of the main Opposition NC walked out from the house after on being dissatisfied with the answer of the Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar.

The NC members alleged that minister Abdul Aziz Zargar admitted that he was misled by his department, including Secretary Agriculture. However, Mr Zargar denied and said preparing answers to questions was the collective responsibility of everyone.

When the NC, who were on their toes, tried to raise the issue again, Chairman Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora, diallowed them and appealed them to resume seats.

When he called next question, four members, including Sakina Itoo, of the NC walked out from the house and returned after some time.

However, when the chairman declared that the question hour was over, the NC members were again on their feet demanding immediate discussion on the question raised by them.

When the speaker did not allow them to raise the question, the NC stormed into the well of the house and raised slogans that opposition parties were not being given proper time by the chair.

They wanted that their question, which could not be taken up today, be deferred which was rejected by the chairman saying that there was no rule.

He asked the NC members to give notice for a discussion on the questions they wanted to take up.

Later, talking to mediapersons Ms Sakina Itoo said the questions asked by her party members were not taken up by the Speaker who allowed long discussion on questions asked by the ruling party members.

She alleged that she had asked a question about appointments in the fisheries department which was not taken up deliberately as the written answer by the minister was totally wrong and misleading.

The Chairman repeatedly asked her to give notice for a discussion. However, when the members remained in the well of the house, the speaker adjourned the house to meet tomorrow.

UNI