Shah reviews J&K situation with LG, top brass of Admn
*HM briefed on CSSs, KPs accommodation, Online schemes
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today reviewed development work in both Central and UT sectors, security scenario and ongoing drive against encroachments in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and top civil and police officers of the UT and the MHA.
The review meeting lasted about an hour in New Delhi.
Besides the Lieutenant Governor, Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla, Chief Secretary Dr Arun Mehta and other senior officers of civil and police administration also attended the meeting among others.
Official sources told the Excelsior that a Policy to protect small land holders from anti-encroachment drive was extensively deliberated at the meeting. The Policy has reportedly been given the shape and could be out very shortly, they said.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had drafted the Policy and it was discussed at today’s meeting with the Union Home Minister. The Policy is now almost approved and will be out very soon after being given the final touch based on consensus reached at the meeting.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has repeatedly assured the people that small land holders will be spared from the anti-encroachment drive. The Policy has been drafted keeping this aspect in account, sources pointed out.
“The Jammu and Kashmir administration gave detailed briefing to the Union Home Minister on encouraging results achieved during ongoing anti-encroachment drive in which land running into several thousands of kanals has been evicted from the possession of influential persons,” sources said.
Apart from the anti-encroachment drive, the Union Home Ministry reviewed ongoing projects/works in Jammu and Kashmir under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) and Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) besides the development works undertaken by the UT administration on its own.
“The Jammu and Kashmir administration briefed the Home Minister about progress on various projects and schemes in the Central as well as UT sectors and J&K Government’s directive to executing agencies to meet timelines,”’ sources said, adding that the Government has assured the UT dispensation that funds would be no problem for the ongoing projects and more schemes which will be announced shortly.
The senior officers from J&K apprised the Home Minister about several services put Online and made time-bound by the administration, benefitting a lot of people.
The issue of transit accommodation for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley also figured prominently at the meeting with the UT representatives assuring the Home Minister that work is apace and will meet the deadlines.
Only yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed the administration to release salary of KPs’ PM Package employees on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, who have joined duties.
Some security related issues of the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley also came up for discussion during the meeting, sources said, adding the migrant employees have been posted at secured places.
The UT administration briefed the Home Minister that representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) will be sent to different States of the country to acquaint themselves with working of Panchayats, Block Development Councils and District Development Councils in other States and Union Territories so that they can learn and improve functioning of the PRIs here.
Sources said law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir was also discussed at the meeting and steps being taken by law and order enforcement agencies including Jammu and Kashmir Police to eliminate the militants and capture the Over Ground Workers (OGWs).
Security agencies gave detailed briefing on ongoing anti-militancy operations in the Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu region including twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch where two foreign terrorists involved in the killings of seven civilians from minorities at Dhangri, Rajouri on January 1, remained untraced so far.
However, Jammu Police and Rajouri Police have busted two modules of militants responsible for planting the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). They include a Government teacher of Reasi district.
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