Srinagar, June 22: Lok Sabha, Speaker Meira Kumar Tuesday expressed concern over the killing of innocent youth in the city by paramilitary CRPF and police. She said the state government should do something about various ‘arbitrary’ provisions of the Public Safety Act.
“I do feel concerned (about the killings). We condemn any innocent killing. Government has ordered a probe and whatever the outcome, I am sure, the government will take suitable action,” Meira said responding to a question over killing of two youth allegedly by CRPF troopers, during her press conference on the concluding day of the 75th All India Presiding Officer’s Conference here.
Muhammad Rafiq Bangroo of Safa Kadal died last Saturday evening after he was severely beaten by CRPF troopers earlier this month while as Javaid Ahmad Malla of Noorbagh was shot dead when CRPF fired on the funeral procession of Bangroo Sunday last. Both the killings took place when Meira was in summer capital. Earlier a teenager, Tufail Ahmad Mattoo of Saida Kadal died when he was hit by a teargas shell fired by police at Rajouri Kadal after mild protests.
However, LS Speaker asserted that government of India would “leave no stone unturned to ensure peace” in JK and secure future for the state’s youth.
“We are very proud of Kashmir. The youth of Kashmir is very special and extremely valuable asset for us. We are proud of them. Shah Faesal (IAS topper) has done us all proud. We want to assure people of Kashmir that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure peace, prosperity and progress of your beautiful state, to ensure that youth of your state has secure future, to ensure that the dreams he/she are chasing come true,” she said in chaste Urdu.
On her 3rd visit to Kashmir, Meira stressed for development of tourism industry for overall progress of the Valley. She termed tourism as smokeless industry and said it could uplift the state economy and condition of youth.
Responding to another question on detentions under Public Safety Act even when the grounds of detention are vague, non-existent and non-relevant, Meira said the state government should do something on this front.
ON PO CONFERENCE

Concerned over the frequent disruption in question hour in parliament and state legislatures, Meira said she had framed a committee headed by Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha, K Rehman Khan with speakers of different state legislatures including JK speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone as its members. The committee, she said would examine why there are frequent disruptions and how could these be checked.
“At least 47 Presiding Officers from different states and two union territories had participated in the conference. However, the total number of visiting officials was more than 400 from all states,” Meira said. “There are presiding officers from all states and Union Territories, representing all political opinions. It is almost mini-India present in this beautiful state,” she said.
Meira said the conference passed a resolution that the committee system should be implemented in all the state legislatures and there should be uniformity in all committee systems.
In response to a question Meira said she was trying her best to provide maximum chance to debutant MPs and members from smaller parties and smaller states to voice their concerns in the lower house.
Besides, she said various decisions had been taken to increase efficacy of the question hour. Elaborating she said, the minimum and maximum period of 10 and 21 days respectively for giving notices by the members for Questions had been done away with and a 15 days period had been prescribed for such notices.
Secondly, the Speaker had now been vested with powers to direct answer to a starred question of a member who was absent in the House when his or her name was called.
Thirdly, a member was now required to make a statement in the House correcting the reply given by him or her earlier. Fourth, the number of notices of questions which a member was entitled to give had been limited to 10.
LS Speaker highly appreciated the functionaries of the J&K Legislature and the Government for extending generous hospitality to the participants including Presiding Officers and Principal Sectaries and Secretaries of the Legislative Bodies of the country adding that holding of the Presiding Officer’s Conference after a gap of 23 years in breathtaking environs of the Srinagar city is indeed a memorable event for all.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST