Holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh's B'Day awaits Government's nod
File under consideration at GAD as Deputy Chairman asks Govt. to respond
Srinagar, Feb 19 (KNS): The resolution passed unanimously by the upper house in Jammu and Kashmir over declaring state holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh- the last King of the state, is pending with the government and is awaiting the final nod.
Top sources within the state dispensation told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that on day when the Legislative Council passed the resolution, its details were sent by the secretary Assembly to Secretary General Administrative Department. “It is a general procedure that wherever a resolution is passed in the Upper house of the state legislature, its details are forwarded the GAD for further action. The resolution pertaining to declaring state holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday has also been sent to the GAD for further action thereof,” sources within the government told KNS.
It was informed further that the file is with the government and is awaiting its final nod for action on ground. “There hasn't been any move forward over the issue as far as I know. It is the government that has to take a final call over the issue now,” divulged an official.
On Jan 24, this year, the upper house adopted a resolution urging the government to declare holiday on September 23 every year on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra king of Jammu and Kashmir. The private member resolution was moved by BJP MLC, Ajatshatru Singh, who is the grandson of the late Maharaja.
The resolution was accepted and Deputy Chairman Jahangir Hussain Mir asked government to respond.
Minister of Education and Leader of the House Neeam Akther said, “Jammu and Kashmir already observes 28 state holidays in addition to provincial, restricted, local holidays,” adding, “In this circumstance it's not feasible for government to further increase the number of holidays,” and urged Ajatshatru Singh to withdraw the resolution.
Normally members withdraw resolutions after reply from the government but in this case Ajatshatru Singh refused to withdraw and pressed for discussion and voting.
Several legislators from PDP and BJP praised the administration of late Maharaja.
