Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 22: BJP senior leader and former Vice Chairman, Pahari Advisory Board, Kuldeep Raj Gupta today urged the Government to make Pahari Board’s building functional and initiate broadcast of Pahari language from Rajouri.
He also demanded shifting of Board Office and student hostel to newly constructed building of “State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari speaking people of J&K” to save Board’s money and start Door Darshan and Radio broadcast facility in Rajouri.
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Gupta, was addressing press conference along with BJP State media incharge & State press secretary, Dr. Pardeep Mahotra and BJP leader, Subash Chander Gupta, at party headquarter, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
Gupta, said that, he met Governor, S P Malik, to apprise him of important issues related to Pahari communities and requested for his prompt action on the same. While elaborating, he said that the Board is paying Rs 1.5 lakh as office rent and Rs 1.5 lakh as the student hostel rent per month. He said that to save that Rs three lakh per month, he took immediate steps for construction of a building with 33 rooms, with cost of about Rs 5 Crore in Bantalab. But still the authorities have not shifted office and hostel to newly constructed complex, which is draining Rs 36 lakh per annum.
Gupta, pointed out that in 2001, under the leadership of former Prime Minister, Late Atal Behari Vajpayee steps were taken to ensure Door Darshan and Radio facilities in Rajouri. Crores of rupees were spent on the procurement of equipment which was never started practically despite the successful trial. The facilities are lying unused for the years together now. He stressed that the broadcasts through these channels will counter enemy agenda in the border areas, while also acquainting the locals with useful information. It will also promote local culture, while providing platform to local artists, poets and of languages like Gojri, Pahari, Dogri and others.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and BJP national general secretary, Ram Madhav for 3% reservation to the Paharis, Gupta, requested the Governor to ensure its implementation. He alleged that Congress, NC, PDP Governments only exploited interests of Paharis, while doing nothing for their welfare and expressed confidence that under PM, Narendra Modi , Paharis will get all their due rights including the ST status.
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