MLAs say they feel 'helpless', want role in development works

Cutting across party lines, members of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today demanded that their role in development works be defined as some members alleged that they were being "humiliated" by the bureaucracy.
"The elected representatives (MLA) who have been given mandate by the people are helpless before the bureaucracy and the executive, they are being humiliated," CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami said.
He was speaking during the Question Hour on a question asked by independent MLA Hakim Mohammad Yasin.
Tarigami said while District Development Boards were there, it was ironic that these institutions were being headed by a minister nominated by the government.

"The minister is not a locally elected person of the district. Does he know more about the constituencies than the MLAs," he said and sought a greater role for MLAs in the development process.
The CPI(M) MLA found support from members of ruling PDP-BJP combine as well as opposition parties Congress and National Conference.

Several MLAs spoke on the need for involving the local MLAs in planning and monitoring of development works in their respective constituencies.
Initially, the Finance minister Haseeb Drabu responded to the demand by saying the Assembly Constituency was neither an administrative unit nor a development unit.

However, as most of the MLAs stood for defining the role of MLAs in these works, Drabu said it was for the House to decide what kind of role they want. "I have no objection. Let this house decide," he said.
Earlier, reading out the prepared answer, the Finance Minister said the district captial expenditure (CAPEX) budgets were approved by the District Development Boards.
He said the MLAs of the area are the members of these Boards which accords approval to the District CAPEX Budgets.
The minister said that circular instructions have already been issued to all the District Development Commissioners to consult legislators concerned before formulation of draft district capex budgets, centrally sponsored schemes and suggestions of the legislators are appropriately incorporated in the concerned schemes.

He said it was for the first time that before budget session, the board meetings were held in order to take the concerned MLAs on board.