Jammu and Kashmir assembly to summon Gen V K Singh

The former army chief to be given a month's time to appear before the assembly

Jammu and Kashmir assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul said Wednesday he would summon former Indian Army chief Gen. V.K Singh to explain allegations that the army's secret fund are being used to pay state ministers since 1947.

The members of the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) created a ruckus in the assembly Wednesday seeking summoning of the former Indian Army chief.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mir Saifullah stood up and asked the speaker to summon Gen. V.K Singh to explain his position before the assembly.

Speaker Mubarak Gul said: "I have decided to write a letter to the former army chief to explain his position."

He said he would give the former army chief a month's time to appear before the assembly.

"If I have to convene a special session for Gen. V.K Singh to appear before the assembly, I will do it," the Speaker said.

He had earlier reserved his judgement on whether the former army chief should be asked to appear before the privileges committee of the assembly or should be summoned before the entire house to clarify his position.

The retired army chief had stirred a controversy by making allegations that ministers in Jammu and Kashmir had been receiving secret funds from the army since 1947.

An Indian Express expose had quoted a probe report by the army, which said Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir had received Rs. 1.19 crore from the army's secret funds.