JAMMU, Apr 4: Education Minister Sakeena Itoo today blamed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir State into the Union Territory.Sakeena’s strong reaction came when she was replying to a question of PDP MLA Rafiq Ahmad Naik on strengthening of existing infrastructure and ensuring adequate availability of teaching staff in upgraded schools of Jammu and Kashmir, in the Legislative Assembly.
PDP’s Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra also countered the remarks resulting into heated exchanges in the House.Itoo used the “milk and toffee” remark to counter the PDP.
In 2016, Mehbooba, as then CM of the erstwhile J&K, had commented at a press conference that those hit by bullets or pellets in the violent protests triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani had not gone to fetch “milk or toffees” from the Army camp.
The comment was seen as justification for the deaths that happened in the unrest.
Itoo invoked the remark a number of times.
She also questioned Parra about the cold stores and said, “We know who is pulling your strings and from where you are getting your syllabus.”
Amid noisy scenes in the House, Parra launched a counterattack on the National Conference Government, as members from both the ruling party and the opposition PDP rose to their feet.
His remarks were largely drowned out in the din, but he was heard taking a swipe at the Minister, saying she was holding the education portfolio despite failing to complete his MBBS course.
“The main issue here is about granting up gradations. This is everyone’s concern; mine as well. I also want schools to be upgraded and new ones to be sanctioned. However, I would like to remind them of one thing: before 2014, around 842 up gradations were carried out under the leadership of the then Omar Abdullah’s Cabinet.
“But, after 2014, when the Government changed and later when the PDP-BJP Government came into power, all those proposals were put on hold. It is easy to make statements, to target each other, and to create a show for the public, but the reality is different,” the Minister said.
She added that since 2019, there has been no recruitment in the Education department and blamed the PDP for the challenges the UT has been facing.
“Today, if we have been reduced from a state to a Union Territory, if we no longer have special status, if the powers we once had are no longer with us, there is a reason for that, and it is this (PDP) very party,” Itoo said, leading to the heated arguments.
Referring to Para’s recent act of tearing and throwing papers in the House, she said, “We do not believe in theatrics…we believe in delivering practical work.”
“Who is behind you? Who is pulling your strings? We know everything,” The minister said.
She also referred to the PDP chief’s 2016 remark and repeated it nearly a dozen times.
“We know everything; who had how many cold stores. Don’t teach us…Don’t make noise. Give an answer about the cold stores you own. Talk about the public instead of enacting a drama,” Itoo said.
The issue also surfaced in the House later and Sakina Itoo reacted to Parra’s remarks on her educational qualification.
BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia intervened saying there should be no personal attacks and those doing so should apologize.
In the written reply to Naik’s question, Itoo stated that the School Education department (SED) is presently focusing on strengthening the existing infrastructure and ensuring adequate availability of teaching staff in the upgraded schools across Jammu and Kashmir.
She informed that a feasibility report has been submitted by the Chief Education Officer to the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir for up-gradation of High School Jawahirpora Lam to the level of Higher Secondary level.
She mentioned that High School Jawahirpora Lam’s nearest Higher Secondary School is Higher Secondary School Satoora, about 6 km away.
The Minister said that the area has some population belonging to tribal communities but the up-gradation of schools is subject to the fulfilment of laid down criteria and feasibility norms like distance, feeding schools and top-class enrolment, which are prerequisites.
She added that at present there is no proposal under consideration for up-gradation of schools to the next higher level, as the department is prioritizing consolidation of infrastructure and provision of teaching faculty in already upgraded schools.
The Minister added that High School Jawahirpora Lam and High School Midoora will be considered for up-gradation as proposals come up.
