Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Dogra Sadar Sabha (J&K), president and former minister, Gulchain Singh Charak has lauded the latest directions of Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta to the concerned Revenue authorities regarding strengthening of traditional and vital village institutions of Numberdars and Chowkidars throughout J&K.
He has termed as significant the assertion of Dr Mehta that the position of Numberdars and Chowkidars is very important for better coordination at grass-root level besides the instructions to district administration to fill up all their vacancies by engaging young and enthusiastic persons as per the relevant rules and acts before January 26, 2023.
Speaking at a press conference here today, Charak invoked his recent appeal on January 6 to the Central as well as the UT Government, to actively involve the civil society at all levels. He said that the DSS has been repeatedly demanding since long that the involvement of grass root level institutions and a cross-section of the civil society, including veteran defence personnel and religious, political and social leaders from amongst the local population to ensure strengthening of communal harmony, sustainable peace and development besides assistance in completely pulling out J&K from the pangs of terrorism.
He reiterated that by serving as the eyes and ears of the Government, the institution of Numberdars and Chowkidars provides the most effective services to common masses, particularly the rural population. It is imperative to duly empower them and raise the monthly remuneration (honorarium) of Numberdars and Chowkidars from the existing paltry sum of Rs 1501 and Rs 1500 respectively to at least Rs 9000 per month. He said the Government Order No. Rev/LB -354 of 2007 dated 11-10-2007 regarding their free transportation in the SRTC buses must be strictly enforced.
In view of sensitivity of their job, Government must provide genuinely substantial ex-gratia relief to the family besides government job to the next of the kin of Numberdars/Chowkidars, either killed by terrorists or died while performing government work. A regular and hassle free payment of monthly remuneration should be ensured to them.
Charak also welcomed the latest decision of the government to revive and revitalize the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and said they should be provided modern arms.
Prominent among others present were Col Karan Singh vice president, Prem Sagar Gupta gen secy, Col Virendra K Sahi- convenor Media Cell, Gambhir Dev Singh Incharge Youth wing, Chander Mohan Sharma- secy and Amanat Ali Shah Joint Secy.
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