Srinagar, June 27 : Opposition National Conference legislators Monday walked out of the Lower House, alleging discrimination with Kashmir Valley over IIM and IIT establishments.
Independent legislator from Langate, Sheikh Abdul Rashid raised the issue and asked the government whether it will take up with Centre the matter of establishing IIT and IIM in Kashmir, as have been allotted for Jammu.
Replying to the MLA, Minister for Education Naeem Akhtar said establishment of IIM and IIT would be taken up with the Union government at an “appropriate time”.
However, the minister was confronted by Rashid who said that government has approved AIIMS for the Jammu region after the people there launched an agitation.
“If government has approved IIT and IIM for the Jammu region, then why not the same for the Kashmir valley. Do you want people of Kashmir should also launch an agitation for these two institutions,” Rashid said.
On this Akhtar said government does not act through agitation but through procedures.
“You are discriminating with the Kashmir valley,” Rashid shouted.
CPI (M) legislator MY Tarigami said the minister should not have said that government will take up the matter with the Centre at an appropriate time “instead should take measures for establishment of IIT and IIM in Kashmir valley”.
National Conference Member Ali Mohammad Sagar said they were not against that IIT and IIM has been approved for the Jammu region.
“But why are you discriminating with the Kashmir valley. Why not IIT and IIM in the Valley,” Sagar said.
However, the Education minister said the subject of establishment of IIT and IIM has not been closed.
Amid this Rashid confronted Akhtar and stormed into the Well. “Where is your equitable development of all regions slogans? Kashmiris are only for PSAs, killings and arrests. You should also take AIIMS approved for Kashmir back,” he said.
Unconvinced with the minister's reply, National Conference legislators walked out of the house.
