Jammu and Kashmir assembly Monday passed a resolution seeking investigations into former Indian army chief V.K. Singh's revelations of alleged payoffs to ministers in the state.
The resolution was passed after a heated, over three-hour-long debate in which members, cutting across party lines, expressed serious concern over the allegations.
Taking part in the debate, opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti said Delhi must change its mindset towards Kashmir and start trusting the leaders and people of Kashmir.
Senior ruling National Conference (NC) leader Mustafa Kamal demanded state Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, who has been alleged to be a beneficiary, must tender his resignation from the state cabinet without wasting further time.
Gen. (retd.) Singh, in an interview to Times Now channel, had said the army had been paying secret funds to ministers in the state since 1947.
A report carried by the Indian Express newspaper quoting a defence probe had claimed Mir had received Rs.1.19 crore from the army's secret funds when V.K. Singh was army chief.
Independent legislator, Engineer Rasheed, terming the issue a serious one, said it had cast a shadow of suspicion on all the ministers in the state and should be treated as "alarming and highly disturbing".
Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul has, however, reserved his decision whether the issue should be referred to the house privileges committee or should the assembly summon the former army chief to explain his position before the house.
