Prev govt was far better than PDP-BJP Dispenstion, realises BJP's Sukhnandan

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU: In a major embarrassment for the government in the Legislative Assembly today, the BJP legislator from Marh Constituency, Choudhary Sukhnandan said that the previous NC-Congress government was far better than the ruling PDP-BJP coalition.
He said so while highlighting the issues of the farmers of Jammu Region and his constituency in particular.
Participating in the General Budget discussion, Sukhnandan said that the Agriculture sector in Jammu is neglected in the PDP-BJP government while the Horticulture sector in Kashmir is given adequate attention.
Sukhnandan said that except Gai and Karanbagh areas in Jammu district known for Mangoes and Litchi orchards, all the Horticulture produces come from Kashmir.
"So, this government is announcing slew of initiatives on the horticulture sector of Kashmir ignoring the Jammu's Agricultural economy," Sukhnandan said.
Giving examples of discrimination with Jammu Region, Sukhnandan said that all the fruits produced in valley have been announced by the Finance Minister to be exempted for the toll tax but the Basmati which is produced in Jammu Region has not been exempted.
He also said that all the appliances used in Horticulture Sector under centrally sponsored schemes can be purchased independently at lower rates, but the farmers of Agro Sector are bound to purchase the same from Agriculture Department only.
"With these bindings, our farmers are deprived of the subsidy, which they can claim by purchasing appliances independently. They are forced to purchase appliances at exorbitant rates from the Agriculture Department," Sukhnandan claimed.
Giving examples of Agricultural pumps, he said, the rate of pumps in market is Rs 1200 against the departmental rate of Rs 1600.
He also listed an example of how the tractors are being purchased at low-prices in Kashmir having potential of Horticulture produce against their high departmental rates for the Jammu farmers who are reliant on Agriculture sector produce.
Listing another case of discrimination with Jammu Region, the BJP's Marh legislator said that people in Kashmir Region rely on its local Khyber Brand Cement all the year and the price of the cement is low too.
Against this, he said, in Jammu Region, people use ACC, Ambuja and other cement brands which are, per bag, Rs 40 costlier than the Khyber Brand Cement.
He said, "Since these brands are imported from other states, Rs 40 is levied as toll tax on these brands. I asked the Finance Minister in the previous budget also to exempt the toll on ACC, Ambuja and other
Cement brands used in Jammu, but till date the Finance Minister has not done the needful."
With these allegations, Sukhnandan said, "I think the previous NC-Congress government was far better than the PDP-BJP government because they would at least listen to our requests."
Sukhnandan also said that he came to know that a pregnant health department worker was beaten to pulp by the police during a protest march in Jammu.
"If this is the real face of the government, I think that the previous NC-Congress government was far better than ours," Sukhnandan added.