Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir assembly yesterday 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 leader Mustafa Kamal demanded that state Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, who was allegedly a beneficiary, resign from the state cabinet immediately.
General (retd.) Singh, in an interview to Times Now channel, 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.11.9m from the army’s secret funds when V K Singh was army chief.
Independent legislator Engineer Rasheed said the issue had cast a shadow of suspicion on all ministers in the state.
Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul has reserved his decision on whether the issue should be referred to the house privileges committee or should the assembly summon Singh to explain his position before the house.
IANS
