Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: Governor NN Vohra today held an extensive meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the status of every significant issue relating to the provision of relief and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.
The Governor was informed that 3000 posts had been created in various Government departments in 2011 for providing employment to Kashmiri migrant youth who were interested in serving in the Valley. Out of 2184 selections made by the recruiting agencies, 1446 candidates had so far joined various departments.
Of the remaining 1554 vacancies, 1443 posts had been referred to JKSSB and 111 Class-IV posts to the Relief Organization (M) in 2012. JKSSB has since issued a select list of 430 candidates while the Relief Organization has issued a select list of 87 candidates against the 111 Class-IV posts referred to them.
The Governor directed the Chief Secretary to urgently finalise the filling up of the remaining posts keeping in view the directions of the High Court in the matter and lay down a tight timeframe for filling 3000 additional posts by Kashmiri migrants, which had become available as part of the PM’s Special Package for J&K.
He observed that he would hold a further meeting with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Relief and Rehabilitation on February 1 to decide any remainder issue.
Vohra also reviewed the present position in regard to the availability of accommodation for the Kashmiri migrant employees who have been posted in the Valley.
Principal Secretary, R&R informed that 723 flats for transit accommodation had been constructed at various locations in Kashmir valley which are presently being utilised for accommodating migrant employees who have been appointed under the PM’s Package. The Government of India have conveyed approval for the construction of 6000 additional units for transit accommodation in Kashmir valley for migrants to whom State Government jobs have been / will be provided.
The Governor directed that the earlier sanctioned 96 units at Sheikhpora (Budgam) and 512 units at Vessu Qazigund should be completed on high priority basis and the time frame intimated to him. It was noted that Transit Accommodation already constructed includes 250 units at Vessu Qazigund, 200 units at Sheikhpora (Budgam), 65 units at Hawal (Pulwama), 130 units at Khanpora (Baramulla), 60 units at Nutnussa (Kupwara) and 18 units at Mattan, (Anantnag).
The Governor directed that the construction of additional accommodation should be completed on a time bound basis in various districts of the Kashmir valley by expediting acquisition of land. He directed speeding up the process for urgent repairs/renovation being carried out in respect of accommodation in various Camps in Jammu and the Transit Accommodation in Kashmir valley.
The Governor reviewed the issues pertaining to Jagti migrant township and was informed that a 40 bedded Hospital with 9 Doctors and 37 para-medical staff had recently been operationalised to provide medical care to more than 4000 families staying in the camp.
Vohra directed the Secretary, Health and Medical Education, to ensure adequate availability of medicines in all the Health Centres set up in various migrant camps in Jammu as well as in Transit Accommodation in Kashmir valley. Likewise, adequate number of teachers will be posted in the schools in all the migrant camps. The Governor asked the Chief Secretary to review issues regarding electrification and water supply with the Commissioner/ Secretary, PWD and Secretary, PHE and resolve the same by February 3, 2016.
The Governor also directed Secretary Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department to ensure timely distribution of ration in the migrant camps to ensure against inconvenience to the migrants.
The meeting was attended by B.R. Sharma, Chief Secretary; P. K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor; Sundeep Kumar Nayak, Principal Secretary, Relief and Rehabilitation; Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Commissioner/Secretary, Law; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Secretary, Health and Ravinder Kumar Pandita, Relief Commissioner.