Move To Shift Capital Sparks Debate

Even as the proposal to shift the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir is yet to take off, controversy dogs the idea with debate raging for and against the government move.

- A M Sofi

Giving vent to the opposition to shifting of the capital, several political parties, including main opposition National Conference, said the massive expenditure needed for moving the secretariat and other offices could be diverted to building schools, hospitals and roads in the state.

"We need no new capital at an exorbitant expenditure of Rs 3.500 crore which could be utilized for the betterment of Kashmiris by constructing schools, colleges, hospitals and roads which are in a dilapidated condition across the valley," NC President Omar Abdullah told PTI.

Ridiculing the idea, another senior leader of the party Ali Mohammad Sagar said "instead of finding ways and means to mitigate the problems of the people the PDP-led coalition government is trying to squander the funds for unproductive projects."

He asked the coalition government to desist from changing the capital for "petty political gains."