Unruly scenes in J-K LC, verbal duel between Cong, NC members

Pandemonium today prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council as the coalition partners, NC and Congress entered into verbal duels over the demand for the setting up a House committee to probe irregularities in PHE, Irrigation and Flood control department.
As the Question Hour came to end in the House, NC legislator Devender Singh Rana sought reply from the Chairman, Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra about his decision over the constitution of a house committee to probe the working of the department.
Malhotra, who had reserved his decision over the issue for today after the high pitched discussion in the House last week, said "I will announce my decision later in the day".

Ahead of the start of the discussion of the grants of the Rural Development department, the Chairman turned down the demand for setting up a house committee in this regard.
Malhotra in his decision said that Sham Lal Sharma, who holds the portfolio, has already constituted two committees to look into the wrong doings of the department and the constitution of the House Committee will only hamper the proceedings in this regard.
"Sharma has candidly informed the House about these irregularities to have been detected by him after taking over the charge of this Ministry. He has also informed that he has constituted two committees - one to look into wrong doings committed in the procurement of pipes and the other to look into functioning of CCDU," Malhotra said.

He added that the minister has said that one committee will submit a report in the House in few days while the other report will also be tabled within one month.

At this, the NC legislators led by Devender Singh Rana expressed dissent over the decision, saying the departmental committees will not go into the functioning of the entire department.
Congress MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga intervened on the issue but it had no effect on Rana who continued with his demand.
Meanwhile, Malhotra said that his judgement cannot be a subject of discussion. "You cannot challenge my decision," he said.

The NC members continued their tirade amid interruptions from the Congress members, resulting in unruly scenes as Malhotra adjourned the House for brief period. However, it was resumed later.