Joint delegation of political parties meets Governor

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 4: A joint political delegation led by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister, comprising senior leaders of National Conference, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Peoples Democratic Front and Democratic Party Nationalist met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today. Besides Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the delegation included Sh. G.A. Mir, Sh. M.Y. Tarigami, Sh. Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen Shah, Sh. G.H. Mir, Sh. Abdul Rahim Rather, Sh. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Sh. Mohammad Shafi Uri, Sh. Mohammad Akbar Lone, Sh. Usman Majid and Mian Altaf.

Members of the delegation urged the Governor’s intervention in convening a Special Session of the Legislative Assembly to discuss important issues relating to governance, corruption and the day-to-day livelihood problems being faced by the common man. They asserted that the Assembly Session which was held in last July was very short and was called only to discuss the application of GST in the State and no other business was allowed in this Session.

The delegation emphasized that the strength of India’s polity lies in its democratic institutions, particularly the Legislative Assembly, where varied issues can be discussed and debated. They stated that holding an early Legislature Session will strengthen democracy and mainstream political opinion since emergent issues such as unemployment, provision of important basic services could be effectively take up by the Members.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah stated that the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly should be given full opportunity to put forth the grievances of their constituents in the forum of the Assembly.

The delegation stressed that in the absence of grass roots institutions of democracy, Panchayats and Municipalities, the Legislature is the only fora for debating the serious challenges being faced by the people.

The delegation also drew attention to the serious deficiencies, especially those relating to recruitments which are being carried out by different departments.

Governor observed that he would early discuss the delegations’ demands with the Chief Minister.