Srinagar, Aug 29: The Legislative Assembly Friday witnessed uproarious scenes as members of the ruling National Conference and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party exchanged heated arguments over alleged involvement of some PDP leaders in a multi-crore land scam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag (Islamabad) district. The Speaker Mubarak Gul asked the Crime Branch of the state police to probe the matter. As soon as the Question Hour began, Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni got up from his seat, rebutting the allegations leveled against him by NC legislator Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri in the Legislative Council on Thursday. Veeri had alleged that Madni and some other PDP leaders including party’s candidate for Sonawari assembly segment Yasir Resji were involved in the illegal occupation and filling of around 4000 kanals of wetland in Marhama area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag (Islamabad) district. “I will resign from membership of the House if I am found involved in the land grab. I will quit politics if it is proved that I have purchased even one marla of land since I joined politics,” Madni clarified. As Madni was responding to the NC lawmaker’s accusation, Minister for Higher Education Muhammad Akbar Lone alleged that one of the documents pertaining to the Marhama land scam has the signatures of Madni. “It is Yasir Reshi for whom you have signed the document,” Lone told Madni. “PDP is a party of land grabbers,” the minister alleged. “I have given in writing for the benefit of the villagers and not for any party,” Madni responded. Soon, Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo joined Lone. “The audio in which some senior PDP leaders are telling their cadres that they should keep mum on the issue as the land in question is being developed for the party use, should be played here,” Itoo demanded. Minister for Rural Development Ali Muhammad Sagar chipped in, saying; “There is no need for Madni to clarify his position as Chief Secretary is probing the matter on the directions of the Legislative Council Chairman.” Cornered by NC ministers, Madni alleged that Bashir Veeri was seeking Rs 50 lakh from one of the parties who have purchased the said land. Amid commotion, Speaker Mubarak Gul said he will go through the proceedings of the Upper House on the matter and then decide accordingly. “Who granted permission for conversion of the land?,” PDP’s Abdur Rehman Veeri asked as NC ministers continued their attack on PDP. Amid accusations and counter accusations between the treasury benches and opposition, Minister for Revenue Aijaz Ahmad Khan informed the House that the government has not granted permission for conversion of the Marhama wetland. “The bone of contention in the case are two things: One there are allegations of fraud in registration of documents and the other are land grabbing charges,” Khan said, adding; “The permission was granted for filling of the land and not conversion.” As NC leaders pressed for constitution of a House Committee to probe the alleged land grab, Gul announced that Crime Branch will probe the matter. “I direct the Crime Brach to investigate the matter and report back within 15 days,” Gul said. Earlier, Gul had said that a House Committee will probe the matter. “It is not appropriate time for constitution of the committee since Upper House is seized with the matter,” he said. Gul also directed the government to present the documents pertaining to the case to him before the start of the Question Hour tomorrow. WILL QUIT POLITICS IF PROVEN GUILTY: YASIR RESHI Meanwhile, in a statement issued here this evening Yasir Reshi said he will quit politics, if the accusations leveled against him by NC about land grab at Marhama prove correct. Reshi told local news gathering agency CNS that an NC leader is using all ways and means to defame him. “If it is proved that I am the party to land grab I will quit politics for good,” he said.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:47:53 +0000
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