JKNPP member stages walkout from LC over hand pump issue

A member of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today walked out from the Legislative Council after the Chairman turned down his demand for setting up a House committee to probe violation in allotment of hand pumps in the state.
Replying to a question of JKNPP member Syed Rafiq Shah, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma said 2,890 hand pumps and bore pumps have been installed till January 2013, during the 2012-13 fiscal.
Hand pumps are being provided strictly as per prescribed norms on recommendations of Public Representatives, the Minister said, to which, Shah pointed to a list of large number the pumps being alloted in the name of MLAs and MLCs and alleged that it is a scam. He also demanded a House committee on the matter.

However, Chairman Amrit Malhotra rejected Shah's demand and the member staged walkout.
The Minister further said that new norms will be formed in which, allotments will be made on recommendations of Panchayat members.
Replying to another question by NC member Master Noor Hussain, the Minister said 322 schemes are operational in Jammu and Samba districts under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme.