Dy CM Surinder Choudhary terms it a major development boon for J&K
Srinagar, Feb 9: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly saw uproar on Monday over the implementation of the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment (SASCI), forcing repeated interventions from the Chair and the eventual adjournment of the House.
The controversy erupted during the ongoing budget discussion when PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra launched a scathing attack on the scheme, terming it “anti-people” and warning that it could adversely impact the economic future of the Union Territory. Parra alleged that the policy could compromise local interests and demanded the formation of a House Committee to examine its implications in detail.
Para’s remarks immediately drew protests from members of the National Conference and other treasury benches, who rose from their seats and objected to the allegations. The exchange soon turned into a shouting match, with members trading accusations across the aisle as slogans were raised inside the House. NC MLA Altaf Kaloo entered into verbal brawl with PDP’s Parra accusing him of playing politics over the issue while Parra responded: “Don’t hurl abuses at me, tell me on whose behalf you are implementing SASCI? You can’t sell J&K in the name of any scheme. This is fraud.”
As the situation intensified, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary intervened and strongly defended the scheme, stating that SASCI was being misrepresented. He said the initiative was designed to attract investment, boost industry and generate employment for local youth, calling it “a boon for Jammu & Kashmir rather than a threat.”
Government members maintained that the scheme would help industrial infrastructure, encourage private investment and expand economic activity in both Jammu and Kashmir regions. They argued that new units, logistics chains, storage facilities and allied services would create large-scale job opportunities and strengthen the local economy.
Despite repeated appeals from the Speaker to maintain decorum, the confrontation continued. Members continued speaking simultaneously, and the proceedings became disorderly, with persistent interruptions preventing the discussion from moving forward. With order failing to return to the House, the Speaker finally adjourned the proceedings at 1:14 PM. The Assembly was later scheduled to reconvene at 2:30 PM.
Talking to reporters outside the Assembly, PDP MLA Parra alleged that NC should clarify who has asked for SASCI implementation in J&K. “It’s like Jio that first distributed free SIMS and then charged hefty amounts from people. They are selling every inch of J&K. SASCI seems to be BJP’s scheme. J&K won’t see SASCI implementation. Let the House Committee sit on the issue and find out why we need SASCI,” Parra said.
