Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Tuesday after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected an adjournment motion moved by the BJP, seeking a discussion on the “humanitarian crisis” triggered by the recent natural calamity in the Union Territory.
As soon as the session began, BJP MLA from Udhampur West, Pawan Gupta, sought to adjourn the Question Hour to hold a discussion on the issue. However, the Speaker turned down the request, stating that “it was not a recent occurrence.”
“There are several questions already admitted on this subject. It was discussed in the House yesterday as well, and the Chief Minister gave a detailed reply,” Rather said.
Unhappy with the decision, BJP legislators stood up and demanded that the Question Hour be adjourned. “This is not the way. You are all on your feet. I have rejected the motion, and the Speaker’s decision is final,” Rather asserted.
He further noted that Gupta had already moved a resolution on the same issue, which was scheduled for discussion on Wednesday, urging members “not to waste the time of the House.”
Despite this, BJP members continued to raise slogans of “Jammu ke saath insaaf karo, insaaf karo” (Do justice with Jammu). The Speaker then read out the relevant rule justifying his decision, following which the protest subsided and the proceedings resumed.
On Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir government estimated losses from the floods to agriculture and allied sectors at Rs 209 crore and said a detailed report would be sent to the Centre seeking relief assistance.
