Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali moved the obituary reference in the House today and highlighted the contribution of the legislators who have passed away during the period from last session.The Chairman also paid rich tributes to Lt General (Retd) S K Sinha, Mohammad Shafi Qureshi, former Union Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, (Ex-Dy CM), Mohammad Shafi Bhat, (former MP), Ghulam-ud-Din Shah, (Ex-Minister), Prithvi Chand (Ex-MLA), Aziz Mohammad Qari (Ex-MLC) and S Dharambir Singh Oberio, sitting MLC.Paying rich tributes to Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, the Chairman said late General always led from the front in safeguarding the sovereignty of the country.Haji Anayat said the late Gen Sinha was appointed Indian ambassador to Nepal in 1990 and played a remarkable role in raising India-Nepal relations to a higher level of cordiality. In the year 1997, he was appointed Governor of Assam at a time when the insurgency in the State was at its peak.The chairman said that Late S K Sinha was appointed Governor of J&K on 4th June, 2003. He said besides being one of the finest military minds, he was a prolific writer having written a series of articles in National Newspapers and has authored five books including one on J&K operation of 1947-48 and his autobiography (A Solider Recalls).The chairman said that the services rendered by late Gen Sinha in different capacities will always be remembered.
Paying tributes to Mohammad Shafi Qureshi, the Chairman said Late Mohammad Shafi Qureshi was founder Member of Indian National Congress in the J&K. The Chairman said late Qureshi worked in different capacities for the welfare and development of the country. He said it was during his tenure, the Pathankote Jammu rail service was started besides getting survey of Jammu-Baramulla rail service done.He said apart from holding key political positions by the late leader, he held constitutional and administrative positions as well. He said that late Leader was known for his political wisdom and secular character and will always be remembered for the services rendered for the overall development of country in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular.While paying tributes to Mangat Ram Sharma, the Chairman said that was a noted social activist and got involved in social and political activities in early 50’s. As a member of Debt Reconciliation Board in District Kathua he provided relief to a number of loanees in settlement of their loan cases with the private financiers in the year 1950.
He said that late leader also took an active part as a member of Tehsil Council Kathua in 1951 for the implementation of Big Landed Estates Abolition Act and the transfer of land to the tiller. As a staunch social activist, he took number of initiatives for the uplift of weaker sections of the society and struggled hard for the eradication of social evils viz; child marriage, untouchably, illiteracy and dowry etc, he added. The late leader has supported the cooperative movement and had worked passionately against the feudal and Communalism.The Chairman said that late Mangat Ram Sharma will always be remembered as a “popular leader of the masses” who had remarkable social and political contributions at his credit. He worked throughout his life tirelessly for the upliftment of the weaker and downtrodden sections of the society. He said that late leader will always be remembered by the people of the State for his selfless services.
Paying tributes to Mr. Mohammad Shafi Bhat, the Chairman said that late leader was involved in social and political activities from his early age and organized Student Association during his studentship. He was joint Secretary of J&K Bar Association and was subsequently elected its President in the year 1980. He was also President of State Central Labour Union and held the Office for 5 years. After joining National Conference, he was elected as unopposed member Lok Sabha in the year 1989. He was first time elected as Member J&K Legislative Assembly in the year 1996 on National Conference ticket. He was subsequently appointed as Chairman, J&K Agro Industries Development Corporation with the status of a Cabinet Minister in October, 2003.The Chairman said that late leader throughout his political career worked for the betterment and welfare of the people of the state in general and of his constituency in particular. His contributions on political and social front will always be remembered by the generations to come, he added.The Chairman while paying tributes to Mr. Ghulam-ud-Din Shah, said that his contributions towards the upliftment of weaker and downtrodden sections of the society are unforgettable and will always be remembered by all.
While paying tributes to Mr. Prithvi Chand, the Chairman said that the late leader started his career by joining the government services as teacher in the year 1960 and served the department for about seventeen years. He formed teacher’s organization and later resigned from the government service to join politics. He was first time elected to J&K Legislative Assembly in 1977 on Janta party ticket from Ramnagar Constituency and re-elected in 1996 general elections from Chenani Constituency.He said the late leader was a noted social and Political activist who tirelessly worked for the upliftment of backward and downtrodden classes. His contributions for the welfare and development of the State in general and for his constituency in particular will always be remembered, Chairman added.While paying tributes to Aziz Mohammad Qari, the Chairman said that he was a veteran National Conference Leader and a close associate of Jenab Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. He said that late leader has worked tirelessly throughout his political career for the welfare and betterment of the backward and down trodden people of Drass.
His services rendered for the welfare of the people of Kargil will always be remembered by the generation to come, he added.The Chairman while paying tributes to S. Dharam Bir Singh Oberio said that he was born on 26.12.1936 at Srinagar Late S. Dharam Bir Singh Oberio breathed his last on 31st of December 2016 at Delhi. He said that the Late Leader was known for his honesty and hard work and worked for the welfare and betterment of the people throughout his political career. The services rendered by the later leader will always be remembered, he added.Legislators who also paid tributes to these leaders include MLC Surinder Mohan Ambardar, Surinder Kumar Choudhary , Jehangir Hussain Mir, Vibod Gupta, Yasir Reshi, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Ajat Shatru Singh, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Firdous Ahmad Tak, Ashok Khajuria, Saif-ud-Din Bhat, Sofi Yousuf, Ramesh Arora, Zafar Iqbal Manhas, Khursheed Alam, S. Charnjeet Singh, Vikramaditya Singh and Yashpal Sharma.They paid rich tributes to these late leaders and highlighted their contribution for the welfare of the people.