Jammu: Doda MLA Mehraj Malik has once again sparked a debate after releasing a video on social media in which he criticised the Jammu and Kashmir bureaucracy over the alleged lack of facilities provided to elected representatives.
However, the video also raised questions about road safety, as the legislator appeared to be driving without wearing a seat belt.
In the video, Malik claimed that he had neither an official driver nor an escort and was forced to personally take his government-allotted Scorpio, bearing registration number JK02DM9861, to the government garage after it developed a mechanical fault.
He said he had to leave the vehicle at the garage for repairs and was provided a Bolero as a temporary replacement, which he was seen driving while recording the video.
Expressing frustration over the situation, Malik accused bureaucrats of enjoying extensive government facilities while elected representatives struggled to meet their expenses and address public grievances.
He claimed that MLAs receive a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 lakh, from which they must bear expenses related to fuel, accommodation, food and other requirements.
In contrast, he alleged, bureaucrats enjoy government accommodation, vehicles, fuel and other benefits at public expense.
“An MLA has to get his vehicle repaired, resolve public issues and manage everything on his own, while bureaucrats continue with their authoritarian attitude,” Malik said in the video.
However, while highlighting his grievances, Malik appeared to overlook a basic road safety requirement. The video showed him driving the replacement Bolero without wearing a seat belt.
