Jammu, Jan 09 (KNS): Pricking holes in the performance of the government, former Chief Minister and leader of the main opposition National Conference Omar Abdullah here on Tuesday asked the incumbent Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to compare the achievements of her government with three years of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed led PDP-Congress coalition government 2002-2005. He voiced serious concerns over the unprecedented rise in the recruitment and killings of militants and regretted the governments surrender before the separatists in the conduct of parliamentary by-elections for south Kashmir parliamentary constituency. Omar asked the government to clarify that whether Dineshwar Sharma is a special representative or super Chief Minister for Central Government Spokesman as claimed in the contradictory statements by the Chief Minister, Minister of State in Prime Minister's office and Union Home Minister. He asked the government to list the new projects taken up by it without mentioning about the completion of the projects taken by previous NC-Congress coalition government.
According to the KNS correspondent, participating in the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor's address, Omar Abdullah said that in a shot span of three years Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as head of the erstwhile Congress-PDP coalition government undoubtedly facilitated the opening of Srinagar-Muzafarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads, fast paced the work on Mughal road and improved the power distribution system in the State but the present government did in last three years negates the achievements of three years of PDP-Congress rule under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Reminding that people voted PDP to power on the work done by Mufti Government from 2002-2005, Omar said for the first time since 1996 the government has failed to conduct by-elections to South Kashmir parliamentary constituency and virtually bowed its head and surrendered its authority before the dictates of the separatist who had called for boycott of the elections.
Referring to the recent threats on the conduct of polls from several militant groups, Omar said "I don't know what would be the fate of the panchayat elections planned by the government in mid February". Hitting out at the government for taking pride in killing record number of militants in the year 2017. Omar wanted to the reasons behind unprecedented rise in the number of youth joining militant ranks.
Referring to the recent reports about a Research Scholar of Aligarh Muslim University joining the militant ranks, Omar said the inability of the government in hand holding of youth are quite obvious.
Referring to the slogan, "Na Gali se Na Goli se, Kashmir ki samasya Hal hogi gale lagane se", Omar sought clarifications on the mandate given to Dineshwar Sharma for holding talks and the roadmap set for talks by the Union Government. He surprised over the contradicted statements of the State and Central Government on the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma and wanted to know wether Sharma is "Special Representative" as claimed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti or Central Government Spokesman as claimed by Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office Jitender Singh or Central Government's point man on Kashmir as claimed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Mocking at the government on allowing Dineshwar Sharma to intervene in the routine affairs of the government like the availability of the power, water, rice and health care facilities, Omar said "Dineshwar Sharma tends to be a super chief minister". He also sought explanations that why contradictions over the talks within or outside the constitution and inclusion of all minor separatists continue to be the points of confusion for the people of the State.
Reminding Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the steps taken by her father for improving power supply in 2002 as Chief Minister of PDP-Congress Coalition government, Omar said "where are the gas turbines used by late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for maintaining the uninterrupted flow of power supply from 2002-2005"?. Omar wanted to know about the power projects the present government has taken up for resolving the power crisis in the State and alleged that the incumbent government is mentioning about the power projects started by his government after failing to take up the work on construction of even a single power project in the State.
Reminding Chief Minister Mehbooba that Rambagh-Jehangir Chowk flyover in Srinagar, Vikram Chowk flyover in Jammu, flood rehabilitation programme and many other projects have been started by the previous government, Omar wanted the government to list projects started by it both in Kashmir and Jammu. He raised questions on the failure of the government in addressing the roads of traffic congestion and the purpose of constructing only foot bridges but not the bridges that would ease the traffic james in Srinagar city. (KNS)