Rajya Sabha takes up discussion on Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2022

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 23, Mar 2022

Rajya Sabha took up up the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2022 and the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2022  for consideration and return. The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill seeks to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the services of the financial year 2021-22. The other bill seeks to  authorise payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the services of the financial year 2022-23. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam moved the Bill in the Upper House this afternoon for consideration.

Initiating the discussion, Vivek Tankha of Congress said economic activity has been paralysed in Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that Kashmir is facing an administrative paralysis as well. He said it is time to restore democracy in Jammu and Kashmir as people there have their own aspirations and dreams.

BJP’s Anil Jain said NDA government has removed all the impediments to the progress of Jammu and Kashmir. He said all round development is being ensured in the region by way of financial reforms. He said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath Sabka  Vikas, industrial growth, employment, and women upliftment are being ensured.

Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party said representation of people of Jammu and Kashmir is a must. He said assembly elections must be held in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible so that Budget of J&K does not have to be discussed in Parliament.

RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha said it is sad that there is no one representing Jammu and Kashmir in Rajya Sabha even as the Budget for J&K is being discussed.

Priyanaka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena alleged that no provision has been made for the welfare of Kashmiri Pandits in the budget of Jammu and Kashmir. She also raised the issue of unemployment in the Union Territory.

Fauzia Khan of NCP said that the major part of the budget allocation to Jammu and Kashmir has been set aside to meet the revenue defecit gap and resource gap of the Union Territory. She said, the unemployment rate in the UT is higher than the rest of the country.

Rajani Ashokrao Patil of Congress said that currently unemployment is the biggest problem in the UT.

Participating in the discussion Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that a 36 member delegation from UAE’s are currently on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir to look into investment opportunities. He said that this reflects a posititive change in Jammu and Kashmir. He also rejected the allegations that after abrogation of Article 370, the human rights violation in the UT has increased. Mr Naqvi said, if any one speaks about human rights then there should also be a talk about the rights of Indian soldiers who protect the UT  without caring their lives. He said, the neighbouring country wants that human rights' issues are raised in Kashmir. He added that  Human rights do not just belong to militants and separatists,it also belongs to the common Kashmiris. Mr Naqvi said,  the government has ensured the participation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in political process along with their progress and prosperity. He said, security forces are neutralizing the terrorists posing a threat to the security of the country. He said,  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has brought the budget for the development of UT and its people.

Participating in the discussion, Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said that the situation of tourism has  improved in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the sector is progressing well.Giving  this month data of flights operation in the UT,  Mr Reddy said that so far in March  322 flights  for Jammu and 512 flights for Sri Nagar were operated for tourist. He informed that the House that for the next three months no rooms are available for  those want to visit Srinagar in summer season. Mr Reddy said that tourism sector in the UT has got a major boost under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, investment in tourism sector has also improved after introducing the tourism policy.

Members from other political parties also participated in the discussion. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply to the discussion tomorrow as the House has completed the debate on these two bills taken together.

Sources : News on AIR