Amid uproar and later walk out by the Opposition, PDP supported its ally BJPon Thursday in the Lower House to “kill” the bill on amendment to J&K Transfer of Property Act and to send it to Select Committee.The bill aimed at plugging loopholes in the J&K Transfer of Property Act was approved by the Cabinet to be introduced in the Legislature to amend it and prevent transfer of land to non-state subjects in Jammu province.When the bill was introduced in the House during Zero Hour, BJP legislators opposed it and demanded that it should be withdrawn.However, the Opposition National Conference, Congress and Independent legislators, including MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami created pandemonium, saying how the bill was approved by the cabinet of which BJP ministers are part of.“Whose bill is this?” Tarigami shouted in the House, pointing to Treasury Benches. “How did you approve the Bill in the cabinet for introduction in the House,” he said.Amid din, Revenue Minister Basharat Bukhari moved the motion and the bill was sent to Select Committee.When the Opposition cornered the government and created ruckus in the House, Social Welfare minister, Sajad Lone, rose from his bench and said that in a democratic set up, the members in the House can discuss the bill.
“Don’t belittle democracy and this House. A democratic set up gives space to accommodate differing aspirations and opinions,” Lone said.However, the Opposition was unrelenting.At this point, NC Opposition leader and former chief minister, Omar Abdullah, who pushed the bill for vote, said that majority of the members in the House support the bill. “Don’t send it to Select Committee,” he said.“Your ministers in the cabinet have no experience. They don’t know how to read the bills. Your brought the bill in hurry and later when BJP realised that it they have committed a mistake, they began a fixed match with PDP,” Omar said.However, PWD minister A R Veeri objected to Omar’s “no experience” assertion. “You are insulting us. I am a senior member of the House. I cannot tolerate insult to my respect,” Veeri said.Later, Omar told the House that if he has hurt any member, he “suo motto” takes it back.Only PDP legislator from Amirakadal, Altaf Bukhari, supported the Opposition for passage of the bill. “Majority of the House favours the bill, it should be passed. Rejecting it will be mockery of the House. It has to be put to vote. House cannot be taken to hostage,” Bukhari said.Angered by the bill being sent to Select Committee, Opposition walked out of the House, shouting slogans against the government.Later, talking to reporters, NC’s Ali Muhammad Sagar said that “today is the blackest day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.”“PDP succumbed to BJP pressure to kill the bill,” Sagar said. (KNS)