Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: A deputation of State Government employees belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandit community today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and sought his intervention for issue of necessary orders from the State Government for release of 10 months’ earned leave encashment due to them at the time of retirement.
In a memorandum submitted to Dr Jitendra Singh, the deputionists explained that even after 25 years of displacement from Kashmir Valley, they were still being deprived of this privilege which is normally available to every Government employee. They said, in the 25 years, they had made themselves available for each and every duty assigned to them whether it was the census duty or the election duty.
Even today, they were under assignment of being on Counting Duty for the Assembly Election vote counting on December 23, 2014, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh gave them a patient hearing and said, this was a case of blatant discrimination against a section of Government employees. Such callousness on the part of the Government does not only create unrest among the employees, but also creates divisions among different groups of employees, he added.
This is not only a violation of the terms and conditions under which a Government engages an employee, Dr Jitendra Singh said, but this is also a violation of law and may not even stand the test of legal scrutiny. Such anomaly, therefore, needs to be redressed without any further delay, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that at a time when the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre is trying its best to address the grievances of every section of refugees and displaced communities in Jammu & Kashmir, it is appalling that the State Government creates yet another issue of contention among a section of displaced community, he added.
Ashwani Charungoo, President, Panun Kashmiri, who led the delegation, said that he will appropriately follow-up the matter as advised by the Minister.
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