Srinagar, December 21 (KNS): Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has accused the government of systematically targeting Jammu and Kashmir’s economic lifelines, including horticulture, agriculture, and handicrafts, while leaving tourism as the only surviving sector.
Speaking to KNS, she warned that the destruction of these sectors would leave the Kashmir’s people without sustainable livelihoods, pushing them toward dependency.
“If these industries are destroyed, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be left with nothing. We will be reduced to dependency, with no means to sustain ourselves,” she stated.
Mufti called for immediate Omar Abdullah government intervention to protect the region’s economy. “This appears to be a conspiracy to weaken J&K’s self-reliance. The government must act responsibly to safeguard the people’s interests.”
Highlighting ongoing development projects, including railway expansion, the ring road, and the Rajouri-Baramulla road construction, Mufti expressed grave concerns over the loss of fertile agricultural land. She noted that the establishment of satellite townships on prime farmland threatens the backbone of J&K’s economy.
“I urge Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address these pressing issues. These projects are encroaching on our farmlands, and people are questioning their purpose. We need clarity on who truly benefits from these developments,” she said, drawing parallels to international land disputes like those in Golan Heights and Gaza.
Mufti also criticized the imposition of a 28% GST on Kashmiri shawls, describing it as a severe blow to the iconic handicrafts industry.
She recalled the earlier ban on Shantosh shawls, which had disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of workers. “The Kashmiri shawl is our global identity. This heavy GST will cripple the industry and erase a vital part of our heritage for future generations,” she warned.
Additionally, Mufti raised concerns over flawed government policies, including the deteriorating electricity supply and flawed ration distribution systems, which she claims are exacerbating the woes of the people. (KNS)
Speaker Likely to Form House Committee to Frame Rules of Procedure for J&K Assembly
Srinagar, December 20: The Speaker of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, is expected to establish a House Committee to frame the Rules of Procedure for the Assembly’s functioning, sources revealed.
The proposed nine-member committee will comprise legislators from different political parties, with a focus on experienced lawmakers familiar with parliamentary procedures, sources told KNS.
The initiative is seen as a critical step in streamlining the legislative processes of the Union Territory’s Assembly.
The framing of the Rules of Procedure will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Section 46 of the Act empowers the Assembly to create its own rules for regulating its procedures and conducting its business.
Until these rules are formally established, the Act mandates that the rules and standing orders in force prior to the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir will remain applicable to the Union Territory’s Assembly. However, the Speaker has the authority to modify or adapt these rules as necessary.
This move is expected to provide clarity and structure to the Assembly’s operations and ensure smooth legislative proceedings in the newly formed Union Territory. The inclusion of lawmakers from various parties is aimed at fostering a consensus-based approach in framing the rules.
