Islamabad (Anantnag), Sep 29: A day after the senior Peoples Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Beg suspected the hand of ruling National Conference in the killing of Panchayat representatives in J&K, the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather Saturday hit back saying Baig was “habitual of leveling such wild allegations.”
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Rather said: “He (Baig) should first think before leveling such serious allegations. Anyways it is his habit to level such wild allegations and it is not for the first time he is doing it.”
Rather said the allegations leveled by Baig were “unfortunate and baseless.”
“The killing of Panchayat representatives is highly condemnable and nobody should play politics over it,” he said, asking Baig to “come up with proof if he suspects the hand of NC.”
Muzzafar Baig had Friday blamed the ruling National Conference for the killing of Panchayat representatives in Kashmir, alleging that it was done “to create fear psychosis among people and rig the upcoming Assembly elections.”
On Congress’s demand to bring in 73rd Amendment in J&K Panchayat Raj Act and PDP’s bringing in the related bill in the upcoming Assembly session, Rather said the issue would be looked into in the Assembly itself. “Let the PDP bring the bill in the Assembly. We will see to it there only,” he said.
On the demands of government employees and their plans to go for another agitation to press for their demands, Rather said: “We have not closed the doors of dialogue and the employees rather than adopting the path of confrontation should come forward for talks.”
Rather also denied the allegations of employees that the Finance Ministry was creating hurdles in meeting their demands.
“This is not at all true. It was the Finance Ministry which approved the 6th Pay Commission, announced Dearness Allowance not only in favor of government employees but Public Sector Undertaking employees as well,” Rather said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST