Jammu, Mar 18: In a rare spectacle, the Legislative Assembly Tuesday witnessed the treasury benches and opposition MLAs rallying around seeking enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), legislators’ salaries and perks.
These issues formed dominant discourse during the debate, which saw members raising all issues of concern.
While participating in the debate on demands for grants under the charge of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the momentum on the issue of CDF, salaries etc., was built by National Conference MLA, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, who initiated the debate.
Initially he aimed barbs at the opposition benches (mainly Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs) evoking response on equal measure from the other side as well.
However, when he raised demands for increase in CDF, legislators’ salaries, loans for vehicles and houses, all differences vanished. In fact, BJP benches requested the Speaker to grant five more minutes to Gurezi.
“Yes, I’ll give it from BJP’s (time allotment) quota,” came the response from the Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
“We are seeking hiked CDF, salaries, perks not for ourselves but for people. As public representatives, we are duty bound to serve them but we have no other ways and means but CDF, salaries and perks which we use to help people. Bring us at par with the IAS officers (in terms of salaries and increments), who get a raise after regular intervals,” Gurezi said, drawing appreciation from both the treasury and opposition benches.
Next speaker, NC MLA Qaiser Jamshed Lone endorsing his point demanded that CDF should be enhanced to Rs 5 Cr including a provision of Rs 30 lakh as medical assistance amount. Their other party colleague Tanvir Sadiq too endorsed the point.
BJP MLA Shakti Raj Parihar, while joining the cause, suggested that a House Committee should rationalise CDF guidelines.
