Fiscal issues, Ind Policy to be reviewed
Call on annual budget may also be taken
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 1: Conduct of Rural and Urban Local Bodies elections is expected to figure prominently in tomorrow’s meeting on Jammu and Kashmir development and security situation called by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi which will also be attended among others by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Urban Local Bodies have completed their five-year term in November-December last year and the Rural Local Bodies (Panchayats) will cease to exist on January 9 this year. Along with Panchayats, the tenure of Block Development Councils (BDCs) will also come to an end abruptly.
According to officials, the elections were delayed due to grant of reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) along with women, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The UT Government recently amended Panchayati Raj Act to give reservation to OBCs while Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporations Act and Jammu and Kashmir Municipalities Act are likely to be amended shortly for a similar provision.
“When to conduct Municipal and Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to figure in tomorrow’s meeting by the Home Minister,” the officials said.
The Central Government has repeatedly been saying that they have given 30,000 representatives to Jammu and Kashmir at grassroots level but they will be rendered non-functional after January 9 with end of term of Panchayats and BDCs. Municipal Corporations, Councils and Committees have already completed their term. After January 9, only 20 District Development Councils will be the major elected institutions besides five Lok Sabha MPs.
“Fiscal issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir will also figure prominently at the meeting,” the officials said, adding a decision is likely to be taken whether annual budget of the UT will be presented along with Centre’s Vote-on-Account in February Parliament session or along with budget after formation of new Government in May.
More job opportunities and expediting recruitment process are also on the agenda.
Industrial Policy which has led to investment proposals worth nearly Rs 85,000 crore will also come up for a review at the Home Minister’s meeting, the officials said, adding focus now has shifted to bring investments on ground to benefit local youth in terms of employment.
Other issues expected to figure in the meeting include Administration Structure, Tatoo Ground, Dal lake, outsourcing of tourism properties, Centaur Hotel, JK Cements Limited and Forest and Environment issues.
Besides development, law and order situation will also come up for high-level review with particular reference to the situation in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Home Secretary AK Bhalla, IB Director Tapan Deka, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo UT Home Secretary RK Goyal, Director General of Police RR Swain and Additional DGP Law and Order Vijay Kumar besides heads of all paramilitary forces and Intelligence agencies would be present in the meeting.
“While security situation of entire Jammu and Kashmir will be under review at the meeting, the surge in terror attacks this year in Rajouri and Poonch districts and steps required to eliminate 30-odd terrorists who could be hiding in Pir Panjal mountains, forests and other vulnerable areas, will figure prominently at the meeting,” the officials said.
There have been reports that security forces could jointly undertake massive operations to neutralize the terrorists. Already, many such operations are on and they are likely to be intensified as more troops have already reached Rajouri and Poonch.
Following December 21 terror attack at Dera Ki Gali in Surankote area of Poonch district in which four soldiers were martyred and three civilians died the next day mysteriously, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Rajouri on December 27 and discussed the situation with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and top Army Commanders.
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