‘Will resolve issue amicably not through fight’
*Apportionment of property done by Advisory Committee
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that there has been relatively less distribution of assets to Jammu and Kashmir in terms of apportionment from the erstwhile State but said the process was carried out by an Advisory Committee constituted under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.
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He was responding to a written question and subsequent supplementaries by National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq in the Legislative Assembly during Question Hour. Sadiq alleged discrimination with Jammu and Kashmir saying it received fewer assets during the distribution process.
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While admitting that Jammu and Kashmir got less assets, Omar, however, said they want to resolve the issue through mutual understanding and not like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which were bifurcated much earlier than J&K but are still fighting (over assets) in the court.
“To address the accommodation requirements, the Government has acquired a plot of land measuring 3179.58 square meters on a perpetual leasehold basis from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in Dwarka for constructing a J-K Bhavan complex, considering its accessibility and proximity to the other State Bhavans,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the possibility of creating additional accommodation on Prithviraj Road in Delhi is being explored.
To a suggestion by Tanvir Sadiq that like Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh Bhawans, the culture and cuisines of Jammu and Kashmir should also reflect in JK Houses outside, Omar said that buildings of J&K will have local culture and heritage and jobs will also be given to the locals. Kashmiri and Dogra food cuisines will get preferences.
Another NC MLA Nazir Gurezi lamented that entire property of Jammu and Kashmir in Chandigarh has been given to Ladakh. “Where the patients from Jammu and Kashmir visiting PGI Chandigarh for treatment will go?” he asked.
Omar responded that structures in Sector 17 Chandigarh are with Jammu and Kashmir and they will be modified and constructed after permission so that the patients visiting there can avail the benefits.
“The apportionment of assets of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was done according to recommendations of the Advisory Committee constituted under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, and another committee formed by the Government,” he said.
The Chief Minister said there has been very little investment in terms of allocation of assets to Jammu and Kashmir, but our endeavour has been to distribute assets through agreement and mutual understanding.
The Central Government had on August 5, 2019 bifurcated erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh and abrogated special status of J&K
Omar said a significant part of the Guest House at Chanakyapuri in Delhi has been allotted to Ladakh, resulting in limited accommodation available at the J-K House in the capital.
Regarding encroachments on J-K’s assets, he said a property owned by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in Delhi, measuring one kanal and 11.2 marlas, was illegally occupied by unauthorized individuals, not duly authorized by the Estates Office or the Resident Commission in Delhi.
These individuals have been successfully evicted, and the Resident Commissioner now has possession of the property, he said.
The Chief Minister had earlier said that financial liabilities amounting to Rs 2,504.46 crore are to be transferred to Ladakh, and the matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ladakh administration.
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