Jammu, Mar 24: Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday staged walkout from the Assembly to protest alleged discrimination in allocation of funds with the constituencies represented by the opposition legislators.
In response to the question by Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, PDP legislator from Darhal, Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather said the planning and development department conducts plan discussions with various administrative departments where the requirements, priorities, potential of various sectors are discussed threadbare before allocation of funds.
He said the state sector funds are allocated on the basis of the need projected by the concerned departments, requirement of basic infrastructural facilities in different areas and also aspirations of the public.
However, while contesting the minister’s statement, PDP MLA said there was “discrimination” in allocation of funds to various constituencies. He alleged that his constituency has been ignored in various sectors while making allocations and granting of projects and demanded a statement from the government in this regard.
Zulfikar maintained that out of total allocation, only 27 percent funds have been kept under District Plan where the MLAs have direct involvement in development activities. “The remaining 73 percent of funds are spent at the prudence of ministers. But there are no criteria on how to spend this money. The government has identified 67 works in Rajouri with an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore, while other segments have been neglected,” he charged.
Rather ruled out such discrimination and said the state government is committed to ensure equitable and balanced development of all areas. “The additionalities are being released from the state sector,” he informed.
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti also blamed the government for “ignoring” the constituencies of opposition legislators while releasing additionalities.
The PDP members demanded that the government should do away with discrimination in allocation of funds and wanted a reply whether the government would allocate projects and funds to the constituencies deprived of the same.
While the PDP legislators were demanding a statement from the government, the Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone announced that Question Hour was over.
Annoyed over the government’s unsatisfactory response, the opposition legislators staged walkout from the House.
Earlier, the Finance Minister informed the House that Rs 4366.50 crore have been allocated to various sectors under state sector during current financial year.
The Minister said the projects which are of inter-district nature such as grid stations transmission lines, university, medical colleges, inter-district roads or those projects which require heavy funding such as district hospitals, major bridges, degree colleges etc are generally taken up under state sector.
He claimed the plan funds are allocated among the districts and departments with this objective in mind and based on the requirements on ground. He said the State Finance Commission, which has dealt with this issue has submitted its report which is under examination.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST