Govt left red faced as PDP members stage walkout from LA

SRINAGAR:   The Peoples Democratic Party-led coalition government had to face an awkward situation in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (LA) today, when two of its Members staged walkout from the House, alleging injustice with the locals associated with tourism sector in the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg.

After Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks Priya Sethi answered a question regarding impact of Cable Car in Gulmarg on the livelihood of the locals, PDP Member Mohammad Abaas Wani, who raised this issue, said that the local ponywaalas have become jobless.

He further said there is no comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of the people affected due to the Cable Car in Gulmarg. However, Ms Sethi said before the commissioning of Gondola Cable Car, the number if Pony wallas was 935 and today the number has gone up to 1755.

“The number of Pony wallas has increased over the period of time as the tourism activities have increased at Gulmarg since the commissioning of the Cable Car Project,” she said.

She further said the government is subsidising the procurement of snow scooters and ATV cars for the Pony wallas. To this, Mr Wani said all local people are not able to avail this scheme and demanded that ATV cars be given to all the pony wallas.

However, PDP Member Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said ATV cars and snow scooters are adversely affecting the ecology of Gulmarg. PDP Member Javid Ahmad Beig also echoed Mr Wani concerns and asked the government to take necessary steps. But, as Mr Beig was not allowed to further talk about the issue, he staged a walkout from the House. Later, Mr Wani also staged a walkout from the Assembly. (AGENCIES)

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