BJP MLA Devyani Rana raised many important issues in the House. File photo.
State Bureau, Jammu. BJP MLA from Nagrota, Jammu, Devyani Rana, in her maiden address during the budget session of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Saturday, paid tribute to her late father and senior leader Devendra Singh Rana. Along with this, he drew the attention of the government on many important public interest issues including the huge cut in the budget allocated for disaster management.
Speaking during the discussion on the budget for the year 2026-27 presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Devyani Rana said that the cut in disaster management funds is extremely worrying, especially at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change related disasters.
He said that today there is a need for relief arrangements, better preparation and strong infrastructure. Cuts in disaster management budget amid incidents of floods, landslides and extreme weather events send the wrong message. The MLA also expressed serious concern over the condition of sanitation workers and demanded to fix the responsibility of the government towards the employees working in public toilets and sanitation services. He said that these employees provide essential services with respect. The government should come forward and ensure that they get timely and fair salaries.
The people sent us to this House to serve them
Speaking on the electricity system, Devyani Rana described the situation of the electricity department as very worrying. He said power crisis is persistent due to lack of capital expenditure and infrastructure development, affecting the common people including the capital region.
In his first speech, he reminded the government of the responsibility of public representatives and said that the people have sent us to this House to serve them. Public problems should be solved honestly and promptly. Highlighting the death of a three-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man due to floods in Nagrota assembly constituency, he said that the deaths of people will not be counted like boxes of apples.
Earlier, while giving Devyani a chance to speak, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said that we all should encourage her. While BJP MLAs encouraged Devyani by patting her forehead, the ruling party and the Speaker were also impressed by her speech.
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