Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 29: A delegation of the All Jammu Civil Society Forum (AJCSF) met the Dy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh and took up various issues related to the Jammu region and the State here today.
The delegation led by AJCSF convener, Gulchain Singh Charak brought out that frustrated from the hollow slogans, false assurances, un-kept promises by the successive Governments and projects hanging in lurch for many years together, the population of Jammu Division is now pinning its hopes on civil society.
The AJCSF sought a clear reply from the Government and a definite solution acceptable to all the three regions of the State including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh which is fair and not discriminatory, providing balanced share in governing power and development in the three regions.
The major issues raised by the delegation were to discontinue the discriminatory practice of blocking the road in front of the winter secretariat which causes great hardship to commuters by dividing the city thus inconveniencing the school children, ladies, the sick, pilgrims to temples, dead being taken for cremation, tourists etc. It also results in added traffic congestion, traffic jams and pollution. The delegation asked for compensation to those dead in border firing by Pakistan including the cattle which are means of earning for the poor villagers.
The delegation requested for speeding up completion of the various pending projects including restoration of Mubarak Mandi, parking slots, Tawi Lake project, Bus Stand and fly over projects. Raising the issues of the ex-servicemen (ESM) Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal sought implementation of entitled six percent job reservations for ESM and early finalization of Sainik Colonies.
AJCSF also demanded establishment of Autonomous Regional Councils for the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. They projected for strengthening Doordarshan Kendra Jammu by enhancing its budget and starting of an exclusive Duggar Channel.
Reacting to the various demands, the DyCM assured that he would take note of all the issues and try to resolve them on priority.
Abdul Majid, Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Annil Suri, Amanat Ali Shah, Brig MS Jamwal ( Retd), Col Dr VK Sahi (Retd), Col K S Jamwal, Prem Sagar Gupta and Parshotam Thapa also accompanied.