SRINAGAR, JULY 1: A delegation of National Conference Party led by Mr. Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister J&K, called on Governor N.N. Vohra, at the Raj Bhavan here today to discuss the ongoing Transfer of Property and Land Bill row.
“The Government realized that put to vote, the Transfer of Property Act Amendment Bill shall pass with majority even if the BJP legislators stand to oppose it. As soon as this realization donned on the Government, the Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation was on his feet and he brazenly requested the Speaker to refer the Bill to the Select Committee of the House. The request of the Minister, unfortunately setting aside all Parliamentary Procedures and Conventions was agreed to by the Speaker (who seemed to be very keen to do so during the entire proceeding) and the Bill was referred to the Select Committee ignoring the majority voice in the House,” the memorandum on the Land Laws (Amendment) Bill stated.
The NC legislative party led by Omar Abdullah through their memorandum apprised the Governor that this act of the Government and the Speaker's role thereon had brought disrepute to the State Legislature.
The delegation apprised the Governor about the important events of the just concluded J&K Assembly Session and expressed concern about the proposed amendment of the Transfer of Property Act-1977 being deferred and the move to provide for Sarpanches being elected by the Panches instead of elected directly.
“The amended Bill is also likely to impact the newly created Blocks and their process of development, and shall undo the exercise done to make smaller administrative units for easy access of the people and focused, concentrated development,” the memorandum added.
For the crucial goal of protecting the Panchayati Raj System in the State, the NC Legislative Party led by Omar Abdullah sought that the Governor should return the Bill for reconsideration if and when it's passed by the J&K Legislative Council and is sent to the Governor for his assent.
The delegation led by Mr. Abdullah included legislators Mr. Mohammad Shafi Uri, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mr. Mubarak Gul, Mr. Mohammad Akbar lone, Mr. Devender Singh Rana, Ms. Shamima Firdous, Mr. Altaf Kaloo, Mr. Abdul Majeed Larmi, Dr. Kamal Verma, Mr. Ali Mohammad Dar, Mr. Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Mr. Showkat Hussain Ganie, Dr. B.A. Veeri, Master Noor Hussain and Dr. Shehnaz Ganie.
