Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 10: Former Associate member for Delimitation Commission 1977 for J&K and chief patron, Forum for Peace and Territorial Integrity, Sheikh Abdul Rehman (Ex-MP) while reacting to the proposals of ongoing Delimitation Commission, recommendations of which have now gone viral, said that it would have been far better if making constitutional amendment instead of attaching Poonch, Rajoujri with Anantnag district of Kashmir, a third Lok Sabha seat comprising of Poonch, Rajouri and Reasi would have been proposed.
In a press statement issued today former MP said by carving out third Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu region by the Commission, an old and strong demand of Jammu region would have also been conceded removing disparity during last about seven decades. It is also worth mention here that Jammu has a vast area of over 26,000 sq kms as compared to 16,000 sq kms area of Kashmir region.
Launching scathing attack on the recommendations of Delimitation Commission, Rehman said it appears that constitutional provisions in this regard with respect to hilly terrain, inaccessibility, below poverty line status, literacy rate, socio-economic conditions coupled with social economic and educational backwardness has totally been over looked and thus hilly areas completely ignored.
Citing examples, he said that Mahore Sub Division with snow bound hilly terrain having 1,26,000 souls stdands ignored; Marwah-Wadwan-Dachhan areas of district Kishtwar which have not been linked with road till datestand totally scored off. Similarly, five compact tehsils of Sub Division Thathri have been fragmented and attached with East and West Doda district, putti g the electorates of this hilly belt to great inconvenience. The public of Dudu-Lati-Doona residing above 7000 ft from see level have been attached with Udhampur, exposing the poor electorate to great hardships.
Rehman demanded that after due amendment in the constitution, three Lok Sabha seats be granted to Jammu region, carving out new Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi Parliamentary constituency, leaving behind, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar constituency and also Jammu-Samba-Kathua conctituency to make parity with Kashmir Division. He also demanded that Dachhan-Marwah-Wadwan and Chhatroo block be granted separate Assembly constituency.
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