Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: While replying to a Private Members’ Resolution moved by Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Planning and Development, Labour and Employment, Ajay Sadhotra today informed the House that after the earthquake of 2005, 19 km Mendhar-Tatapani Route was opened across the LoC on November 14, 2005 to facilitate the divided families across the LoC and meet their relatives residing on either sides and the route remained open up to June, 2005,
The Minister said after opening of 46 km Poonch-Rawalakote road on June 20, 2006, Mendhar-Tatapani route was closed because it was a temporary arrangement. He said, however, the Poonch Rawalakote road is presently functional and being used by all people including those from Mendhar. He further said that the passenger quota for Tatapani Balnoi crossing point is facilitated via Chakan-da-Bagh crossing point which also caters to the flow of passengers from Nowshera Jangar and other adjoining areas.
Mr. Sadhotra said that as part of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan cross LoC people to people contact and trade was started to generate goodwill. He said the State Government would welcome such steps by the Government of India aimed at bringing people of two parts closer.
After the reply of the Minister, the Member withdraw the resolution.
Jahangir Mir, Mohammad Rafiq Shah, B. A. Veeri and Sheikh Ghulam Rasool also spoke on the resolution.
Replying to another resolution moved by Nubroo Gialchan regarding proper representation to Ladakh region in the J&K Public Service Commission, the Minister for Finance Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather said that the Public Service Commission is a constitutional authority, established in terms of the provisions of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that there is no provision in the constitution with respect to the members of the Commission being appointed on the basis of belonging to a particular region, religion or community.
The Minister said that the appointment of the members of the PSC is based purely on merit and integrity. He said that only such people, who have distinguished themselves in their area of work and have upheld the highest standards of public service, are appointed in the Commission. He said, therefore, the question of giving representation to any region, while appointing the members of the Public service Commission does not arise.
After the reply given by the Minister, the Member withdraw the resolution.
Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Bashir Ahmed Magray, Naresh Gupta and Syed Aga Rizvi also spoke on the resolution.
Replying to another resolution moved by Sham Lal Bhagat, Minister of State for Rural Development, Power and Technical Education, Vikar Rasool said that there is no provision for creating the post of Hifazat-e-Panchayat.
The Minister said that there are 33828 Panchs and Sarpanchs in the State, adding that putting one person in a Panchayat cannot ensure the personal security of all Panchayat members round the clock.
Regarding provision of computer and other facilities, the Minister said that the Government of India has already launched a project called e-Panchayat, which is a project in mission mode and shall ensure that all Panchayats are connected through a network of computers and the information flows from Panchayat to Panchayat through this network.
The Minister said that there is a provision of creating staff under Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Saskhaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) for which a perspective plan is under preparation with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and the same shall be submitted to Government of India. The plan shall include provision of funds for creating posts of Computer Assistants in the Pachayat.
After reply from the Minister, the members withdrew the resolution.
G. M Monga, Dr. Shehnaz Ganai and Syed Aga Ahmed Rizvi also spoke on the resolution.
Replying to resolution by Naresh Kumar Gupta, Minister of State for Power and Technical Education Vikar Rasool said that the Government by adopting guidelines of Motor Vehicle Act and putting machinery of the department will improve the traffic management system in the State to avoid the accidents.
After the reply by the Minister, the member withdrew the resolution
Replying to another resolution moved by Ajat Shatru Singh regarding extension of Jammu Airport runway, the Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather said that the runway of Jammu Airport is required to be extended from the existing 6700 feet to 8000 feet in order to enable operation of large sized aircraft and to avoid over shooting the runway. He said that the Army land at Satwari measuring 17.05 Acres is coming under the proposal extension of the run way as such the State government has offered equivalent quantity of forest land at Sunjwan in lieu of exchange of army land at Satwari.
The Union Ministry of Defence has also reconstituted a board of officers to work out the proposal of transfer of army land and submit it for formal approval. Once the land is transferred to the State Government/Airport Authority of India, the actual work on the extension of run way will be started by the AAI.
After reply from the Minister, the members withdrew the resolution.
Replying to resolution by Subash Chander Gupta regarding giving due representation to all section of the society in Jammu province, 7 assembly constituencies currently reserved for schedule caste candidates i.e Hiranagar, Samba, Khour, R. S. Pura, Chenani, Ramban and Raipur Domana be deserved and reservation for SC rotated to other unreserved assembly constituencies, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather said that the issue will be considered by the Government keeping in view the constitutional/statutory provisions along with the amendments made in the State Constitution in the year 2002 and the views of the election department.
After the detailed reply given by the Minister, the member withdrew the resolution.
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