Srinagar, Sep 30: With the government setting into motion the process for empowerment of newly elected Panchayats, the state’s lawmakers Friday demanded that their powers should be defined.
 Opposition Peoples Democratic Party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to set up a committee to decide on the powers of the legislators - a demand supported by all members of the House.
 “We are not beggars. We want our rights and powers to be defined,” said Baig while speaking on the discussion about the powers of the legislators. The J&K constitution, he said also makes it clear that authority of the legislators should be well defined.
 Baig insisted that Omar should call meeting of all political parties to take a final call on the matter. He levelled serious allegations saying some legislators are selling their positions for petty interests.
 “They are doing it for want of few rupees. There is an impression among the people that we all are looting resources and we are corrupt. Once our powers are defined it will make us accountable before people,” he said.
 Pointing towards CM, Baig said government should decide on the role of legislators in District Development Boards, Panchayats and other government institutions.
 Following the constitution of the Panchayats earlier this years and transfer of powers to Sarpanchs and Panchs, many voices from within the lawmakers have allegedly shown apprehensions that the move will curtail their authority vis-à-vis deciding on the development programs in their respective constituencies and allocation of funds.
 Earlier initiating the discussion on the issue, NPP legislator Harshdev Singh termed a legislator an important organ of democracy.
 However Harshdev said the protocol of an MLA is not honoured in any state institution. We do not know what kind of powers and privileges we have. In fact nobody knows where does an MLA stand for,” he said. Demanding abolishing of the Legislative Council of the state legislature, Harshdev said instead the state assembly should be strengthened.
 CPI-Ms MY Tarigami while supporting setting up of the Committee on legislators’ powers demanded a discussion in the House on their role and duties. Tarigami was earlier criticized by legislators from treasury and opposition benches for his “anti-members’ remarks.” 

Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST