PDP disrupts Kashmir assembly over corruption

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) moved an adjournment motion on corruption and then disrupted proceedings in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly Friday, a day after the budget session began.

As the house assembled, the PDP sought all scheduled business to be put on hold so that its adjournment motion could be taken up for discussion. Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone did not agree and wanted question hour to proceed.

The PDP members then moved near the speaker’s chair and started raising slogans against the “corrupt government”.

The PDP’s adjournment motion centred on charges of corruption and misuse of powers by some ministers. Congress minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed has been divested of his main portfolio of school education and Public Health Engineering Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din from the same party is also facing an inquiry for alleged irregularities.

National Conference leader and Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather has been sent a notice by the state accountability commission – an anti-graft body – for trying to benefit his son.

The commission had also sent a notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over political appointments.

“There is corruption all around, even the chief minister is not above board, that’s why our party has moved this adjournment motion,” PDP leader said.