Why Jammu cannot demand for NLU: Sham Sharma

Jammu, Jan 12: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and former minister Sham Lal Sharma on Monday asked why Jammu could not raise demand for the National Law University (NLU).

He was commenting on the Chief Minister’s remarks quizzing why those raking up discrimination bogey in case of NLU did not see it (discrimination) when IIT and IIM were established in Jammu and not in Kashmir.

“We are not raising hue and cry over this issue (NLU). We are only raising the public demand. Why should we not raise the public demand for NLU? The Chief Minister, himself, talks about his assembly constituency issues. It seems that the Chief Minister, himself, does not consider Jammu as part of J&K. He should change his perspective,” he said, while responding to media queries after attending the Jammu district review meeting.

He further questioned if the demand of Jammu people was not genuine.

“Is the demand of Jammu people not genuine, keeping in view the climatic conditions, security perspectives and other aspects? Even earlier the central government has allocated institutes in both the regions. We are not saying that Kashmir should not be accorded it (NLU). If Jammu also raises demand for it, why should the National Conference or the Chief Minister object to it?” he asked.

BJP MLA stated that Jammu gained everything through protracted struggle, be it IIT, AIIMS, Jammu University, Medical College while IIM was given by the Centre.

“These are the reasons which give rise to those demands, being twisted and spread out of context. If we have to stay together then we will have to make judicious decisions. We cannot ignore the sentiments and requirements of people here,” Sharma asserted, while obliquely referring to separate Jammu state, a demand recently supported by him creating flutter in the political corridors yet again.

With regard to questions about the review meeting, he said, “Review meeting was long overdue. It should be held twice a year. It should have happened then also when the plan was finalized. But better late than never. We got the agenda during the meeting only. As per past practice, it should have been given to us three days before the meeting so that we could properly review the allocation, work done, expenditure and related aspects and question shortcomings.”

Sham Sharma informed that during the review meeting, BJP MLAs raised burning issues including the disconnection of power supply in certain areas and unscheduled long power cuts across Jammu when the temperature was touching minus.

Sharma said that during the review meeting, the Chief Minister assured not to cut power supply to the pump sets of the farmers till March 31 even if they had not installed smart meters and they would be charged flat rates.

“All 10 BJP MLAs also raised issues related to drinking water supply and irrigation water supply and flood damages and sought the judicious use of central aid. Chief Minister announced that the Rs 1500 Cr plan to lift 300 to 400 cusecs of Chenab water to meet water shortage was on anvil,” Sham Lal Sharma said.