Jammu, Mar 23: While the government spends around Rs 70,000 per day to conduct the proceedings of the ongoing budget session, but for the state’s elected representatives, it seems not to be a serious business. This was evident when Jammu and Kashmir assembly, possibly for the first time during the current session, was adjourned for five minutes on Tuesday due to lack of quorum.
Senior CPI leader and MLA MY Tarigami, who was conducting proceedings of the House, in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, adjourned the House, during discussion on the cut motion, after he noticed that the House was not having the required quorum to conduct the proceedings. While the treasury benches, except few ministers, were almost empty, only few members from the opposition were present in the House.
“Since the quorum is not complete, I am suspending the proceedings for five minutes”, Tarigami said while expressing concern over the absence of legislators and ministers in the assembly.
Tarigami said: “The Government should ensure presence of ministers in the House as they have responsibility and duty to perform.”
“Jenab Yeh Sarkar Goomti Ziada Hai Aur Kaam Kam Karti Hai”, “MLA Bishnah Ashwani Kumar remarked addressing the Chair.
However, NC MLA Bimla Luthra, came to the rescue of the ministers, saying that ;“Thodi Si Problem Ho Gayi Hai, Is Liye Minister Sahiban Yahan Nahin Hain”.
Minister for Medical Education RS Chib, Transport Minister Kamar Ali Akhoon, advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul and Minister for Higher Education Abdul gani Malik were present in the house while all other ministers were absent.
Earlier, in the morning also, Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone warned the treasury benches that they should remain present in the House.
The proceedings of the House were, however, restored after five minutes.
The legislatures in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, excluding ministers, are entitled to Rs 500 per day for participating in the proceedings of the House. “The estimated expenditure of the budget session is around Rs 70,000 per day as remuneration of Rs 500 per day is to be paid to both MLAs and MLCs, who attend the session”, sources revealed.
“Only those legislatures who attend the proceeding are entitled to the remuneration”, they added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST