‘Act an integral part of J&K’s legal structure’
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 2: Governor Satya Pal Malik tonight set all speculations at rest saying the Government is neither making nor even considering any changes to the Act governing Permanent Resident Certificates in the State and maintained that no changes in the procedural rules governing the issue (of certificates) will ever be made without larger consultations with stakeholders.
Malik was responding to the letter written to him by National Conference vice president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah citing a report published in a national newspaper that the State administration was proposing changes in the procedure pertaining to the issues of Permanent Resident Certificates.
The Government late tonight released the response of Malik to Omar Abdullah’s letter.
Malik had a word of advice also for Omar Abdullah saying he shouldn’t pay heed to “frivolous and unfounded reports”. He said Omar has an obligation to dispel instead of promoting “unnecessary mistrust” among people. He said Omar was always welcome to discuss issues with him, which he has been doing once in a while.
“The Government is not making or even considering any changes in the Act governing Permanent Resident Certificates in the State. It is an integral part of the legal structure of Jammu and Kashmir and there is no attempt whatsoever to tamper with this law,” the Governor said in his letter addressed to Omar.
Omar also uploaded the Governor’s letter to him on twitter and wrote: “I’m pleased to note that no changes are being proposed to the PRC certificate rules. Malik’s assurance of consultation with stakeholders is an important one. I believe a regular mechanism of discussion/ consultation will be beneficial to the State as we move closer to elections”.
The Governor made it clear that no changes in the procedural rules governing the issue of Permanent Resident Certificates will ever be made without larger consultations with all stakeholders.
“Consultations are essential so as to avoid any unnecessary apprehensions in the minds of anyone. To the best of my knowledge, nothing of this sort is being contemplated at the moment nor have any decision been taken. However, in view of the concerns expressed by you, I assure you that nothing will be done to modify the procedures for using PR certificates,” the Governor said in five paragraphs reply to Omar Abdullah.
Malik, however, admitted that many genuine applicants face avoidable difficulties in getting a PRC within the timelines (fixed under Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act of 2011).
“As per the Act, a PRC by a genuine state subject applicant should be obtained within a period of 30 days from the date of application. However, it has been observed that many genuine applicants face avoidable difficulties in getting a PRC within these timelines,” he said.
Asserting that there have also been complaints that the issuance of these certificates get delayed due to variety of procedural reasons, Malik said it was in this context and to ensure hassle-free process for bona-fide applicants that the Revenue Department had sought comments from few others, which was a routine administrative matter.
“Unnecessary meanings shouldn’t be read into it,” he said.
Referring to Omar’s initial comments on twitter that his letter was again not received by the Raj Bhavan on fax and, therefore, he was uploading it on twitter, the Governor responded: “Incidentally, my fax machine was working and your fax was received and confirmed by my office while you have tweeted that it was not functional”.
Earlier in the day, Omar shot off a letter to the Governor saying his party would oppose any move aimed at changing the procedure for granting Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) in the State.
Abdullah had described the reported directions of the Governor-led State Administrative Council (SAC) in this regard as “an attempt to distort the demography of the State” and “detrimental to J-K’s special status”.
“We are obligated to write to you at a time when you are mulling changes to the Permanent Resident Certificate rules. Our party, the National Conference, is of the opinion that this is an attempt to distort the demography of the State and finds it detrimental to J-K’s special status,” Abdullah said in his letter to the Governor, uploaded on twitter.
Asserting that the SAC was “unilaterally bringing changes” in the working of institutions and procedures in the state, the NC leader said it was against the principal and spirit of democracy and participative governance.
“The (media) reports say that directions have already been issued to the concerned officials to make changes in the procedure pertaining to the issuance of these certificates,” Omar said.
“It is highly unfortunate that no wider consultations with any political party of the State and other stakeholders were carried out,” he added.
The former Chief Minister said “any misadventure could disturb the fragile and precarious peace” in the sensitive State of Jammu and Kashmir.
“In addition, it is a brazen act to further create mistrust among people here and can have serious ramifications for the prospects of peace and harmony in J-K,” Omar said.
The NC leader had also pointed out the timing of the SAC’s reported move.
“The Assembly has been dissolved and elections are due within months. This makes the move of your administration open to question as we believe the role of the Government is more in the nature of a caretaker Government,” he said.
He asked the Governor to roll back the decision immediately, saying his party had decided to oppose it.
“We hope that you roll back any decision made in this regard immediately. We also want to convey and register our displeasure and a unanimous decision to oppose this move,” he said.
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