‘Wants to end militancy with people’s support’
6000 jobs, 6000 houses for KPs
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 3: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today that he is always willing to talk to all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that he wants to end militancy in the Valley with people’s support on the lines of Punjab where people had stopped giving support to the terror.
In two separate interviews with Economic Times and TV18 News Network, Sinha said his doors are always open and he is willing to talk to all stakeholders.
“Whether it’s the common man at our border villages or our political leaders, my doors are open and I am always willing to talk to all stakeholders,” Sinha said, adding in fact, he has been holding discussions with people from all walks of life during the past three months.
On terrorism, the Lieutenant Governor said the outsiders have been fuelling terrorism more than locals and, generally, it is around 10 percent of the area which is impacted.
“If you look at Punjab, no doubt, security forces did an excellent job there but the militancy ended when people stopped supporting the militants. We want to work on this line. People in Jammu and Kashmir want development. They have faith in the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The youth will get employment. With the support of people, we will foil the neighbour’s unholy designs of aiding militancy,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Sinha said the security situation is much better than before.
“If you look at it geographically, only 10 percent area in Kashmir division is under the influence of terrorism and our security forces are alert,” he added.
On the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, the Lieutenant Governor said the Government has announced 6000 jobs and construction of 6000 houses for them in Kashmir.
“Excepting 167, all other posts of the migrants have been recommended for filling and they will be filled within the next six months. Of 6000 houses, 5000 will be constructed within next one and half year,’’ he added and said the remaining 1000 houses will also be constructed at the earliest.
Replying to a question on Gupkar Declaration, he said the country and our Constitution allow the freedom of expression to the people.
“While people have suffered for 70 years, there are those who send their children abroad for studies and go there for treatment but the common man has no such facilities. We will created good hospitals, industry and schools to generate employment and improve quality of living,” he added.
Asserting that corruption is a big issue in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said J&K had become favourite destination for corruption. In the Roshni case, the High Court talks of how the Government land was doled out at throwaway prices to influential people, he added and said there will be zero tolerance to corruption and the corrupt people will be brought to book. No one will be spared.
He said the Roshni order is an example of how influential people have cornered public resources.
“The High Court order is an eye-opener. We have cancelled all allotments and directed that the land will be taken over by the Government,” he added.
On restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a demand raised by many political parties, Sinha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said this in his address to the nation and Home Minister Amit Shah in the Parliament that in due time Statehood will be given and there is no reason not to believe them.
Regarding holding of Assembly elections in the Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated that the Delimitation Commission is doing its job. Apart from Jammu and Kashmir, the delimitation process is also going on in four North East States. Once the process of delimitation is over, the Election Commission is empowered to conduct elections.
However, he said, the Local Body elections will be notified soon. He added that the Panchayati Raj System calls for three-tier but Jammu and Kashmir had a two-tier one. Necessary amendments have been made to have elected District Development Councils, which is a big step towards deepening grass-root democracy.
Responding to a question on PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s comment on the tricolor, Sinha said the people who have taken oath in the name of the Constitution, must remember its ‘maryada’. “May God give them good sense to remember the oath they have taken”.
On Article 370, Sinha said many people have gone to the Supreme Court on this issue. The people who have at some point taken an oath in the name of the Constitution should also keep their faith in the Supreme Court and await its decision, he added.
On land laws, the Lieutenant Governor said they have been amended and are now largely similar to those in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Moreover, nearly 88 percent land in Jammu and Kashmir is agricultural and “we have made it clear that not an inch of agricultural land will be given to any outsider”.
On complaints of excesses by security forces, Sinha said some deliberate attempts are being made to create such a perception.
“There is considerable goodwill for the Army and the CRPF especially in the border areas where they have done immense work for the people. However, sometimes incidents do happen, some knowingly, others unknowingly; but as a country, we don’t need lessons from anyone,” he said.
“If there is a mistake made, we will admit it and correct it,” Sinha said.
Asserting that for many reasons, private employment couldn’t be boosted in Jammu and Kashmir during last 70 years, Sinha said the Government has now started recruitment for 11,000 Government posts while an additional 13,000 posts will come up.
“We have decided to develop J&K as Skilling Hub and set up industry in the UT. For example, Ashish Chauhan of the Bombay Stock Exchange had said that three-month programmes will be held for the youngsters who want stock broking or insurance agent skills. The TATA Group has also committed two hubs-one in Baramulla (which is ready) and another in Jammu, which will be functional in November. The aim is to engage with 80 percent of the youth by 2025,” he added.
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