Kulgam, Sept 17: CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA M.Y. Tarigami on Thursday said the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly does not have the same powers it once had, and that the reduced authority affects legislators from both Jammu and Kashmir.
Tarigami was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a sports facility in the district.
“I have stated in the Assembly, even to BJP representatives, that they should not assume they hold any special power. The legislators from Jammu are just as disempowered as those from Kashmir,” he said.
On unemployment, Tarigami said it was one of the biggest issues facing the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He said there was no easy or immediate solution to the problem, but it could not be left unaddressed simply because it was difficult to resolve.
He said elected representatives needed to show concern for unemployed youth and work towards finding solutions to the problem.
On reservations in government recruitment, Tarigami said the policy was necessary to protect marginalised and underprivileged communities. At the same time, he said the Supreme Court had capped total reservations at 50 per cent and that meritorious youth in both Jammu and Kashmir were facing difficulties under the existing framework.
He said the issue should not be treated as a dispute between Jammu and Kashmir but as a matter concerning merit. Tarigami said a committee had been formed to examine the issue and that he would seek information about its recommendations and the reasons for the delay in taking a decision.
He also raised the issue of casual labourers and daily wagers, saying some had been working in the power sector and other government departments for 20 to 25 years.
Tarigami said the government had earlier announced a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to examine their demands and said people should be informed about the recommendations made by the committee.
On horticulture, Tarigami said the sector remained a major source of livelihood in Kashmir in the absence of heavy industry. He said growers continued to suffer losses when unseasonal rain, hailstorms and crop diseases damaged their orchards.
He said the comprehensive crop insurance scheme promised by the government had not provided the required relief to growers and sought practical measures to compensate them for losses.
Tarigami also questioned the status of the Market Intervention Scheme, which, he said, had earlier helped process C-grade and blemished fruit into juice and other products.
He said he had fought for the scheme decades ago as a young activist and that horticulture remained important for growers’ families, as their income was used for medical treatment, children’s education and housing.
On the ongoing NHM staff protest, Tarigami said the government should engage with the protesting employees and other stakeholders through dialogue before looking for a solution.
“You cannot tell a sick person to wait until their cold clears up before checking their pulse,” he said.
Tarigami said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s office deserved respect and had made its position clear, but the government should still call the protesting stakeholders for talks and explain what could be resolved immediately and what would require more time.
