Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 18: The J&K Unit of All India Jat Mahasabha (AIJM) today criticized Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah for ignoring the demands of Jat Community and Refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971 while at the same time announcing 5% reservation to Pahari Speaking people and enhancement of reservation of OBCs from 2 to 4 %.
Addressing the media persons here today, president, State unit of AIJM, Choudhary Manmohan Singh questioned the intentions of the CM in extending these benefits to Pahari speaking people and OBCs. The CMs decisions reflects his inclination to gain a positive response from his vote bank by appeasing to areas and people where he hopes to get a response and ignoring other people and their similar demands.
The question arises why CM found concerns of Pahari Speaking people legitimate and similar demands of Jat community and displaced people of wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971, illegitimate and not worthy, he said, adding there are communities and groups, who have issues yet to be resolved by our coalition Government.
Singh said that Central Government granted Jats of nine States OBC category but jats of J&K have been deprived of this benefit due to the negligence of the State Government. On the other hand, the relief package for the displaced persons, which was decided by the Revenue Department was never taken up in the Cabinet to be approved despite assurances by the Government.
He further lambasted the coalition Government headed by Omar Abdullah not to implement the decision of providing RBA status to people living within eight kilometres of international border, which was approved by Farooq Abdullah during his tenure as CM of the State.
Singh also condemned the State Congress leaders for not taking up the demand of Jat community in Cabinet meetings despite assurances from Congress leader Ambika Soni.
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