Bill referred to Select Committee despite oppn on board

In a rare development, a government bill which aims at preventing land transfer to any non-state subject was today referred to a Select Committee even though opposition National Conference, Congress and CPI (M) supported the legislation in the Assembly.
The bill to amend Jammu and Kashmir Alienation of Land Act and the Transfer of Property Act was referred to the Select Committee after Revenue Minister Basharat Bukhari moved a motion in this regard in the House.
The PDP-BJP government had yesterday introduced the bill in the Assembly but two BJP MLAs moved an amendment, seeking that the bill be referred to a Select Sommittee.

While some MLAs from the PDP had an afterthought and supported the BJP, one of the ruling party MLAs Altaf Bukhari called for a vote on the bill.
The opposition members from National Conference, Congress and lone CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami shouted slogans against the government, demanding the bill be put to vote.
As the opposition demand for a vote was not granted by the Speaker, the members staged a walkout.

The bill was aimed at plugging any legal loopholes in the Transfer of Property Act that would ensure that no land is transfered to non-state subjects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tarigami said it was an almost unprecedented move that the entire opposition is supporting a government bill but the treasury benches decide to send it to the Select Committee.
"What are the motives behind this move? I hope it is not an attempt to play with the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed under Constitution of India," he added.