*Sinha assures time bound redressal of demands on merit
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 22: Continuing the streak of his public outreach meetings, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today met several delegations of former Ministers, ex-Legislators, delegation of All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC organisation and a delegation of J&K Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum at the Raj Bhavan.
Former Minister-Sukhnandan Choudhary, former MLCs- Vikram Randhawa, Surinder Choudhary and Surinder Ambardar; besides former MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia met the Lt Governor and projected various issues of public importance.
Various Ulemas of J&K and a delegation led by former administrator Auqaf-e-Islamia, Doda Asif Jahan Gatoo also met with the Lt Governor.
Former MLC, Vikram Randhawa raised issues related to disengagement of Self Help Groups, regularization of Rehbar-e-Khel and NIS employees etc.
Another former MLC, Surinder Choudhary projected issues of Naushera and Sunderbani area pertaining to the construction of individual border bunkers to safeguard lives of the people from cross border shelling; expediting the work on Government Degree College and strengthening Power and R&B sector. He also drew Lt Governor’s attention towards the substandard quality of bunkers constructed in the area, on which the Lt Governor assured him to take the necessary action in this regard. The Lt Governor said that the quality of works cannot be compromised at any cost.
Former Minister, Sukhnandan Choudhary put forth various issues pertaining to the welfare of farmers’ community and employment generation for the youth.
Former MLC Surinder Ambardar submitted issues related to Kashmiri Pandits, including encroachment of their ancestral lands in Kashmir and their employment under Prime Minister’s package.
The Lt Governor, while interacting with the former Ministers and former Legislators, observed that the present Government is committed towards inclusive development and the welfare of the people of J&K.
He asked them to play a vital role by highlighting the developmental needs and issues of the people and urged them to continue working towards empowering the common masses.
The delegation led by Kuldeep Raj Gupta, former Vice Chairman, J&K Advisory Board for Development of Pahari speaking people apprised the Lt Governor about various issues regarding welfare of the Pahari speaking people and also projected a demand for the grant of Scheduled Tribe status to Paharis of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lt Governor observed that the UT Government is working with an agenda of equitable and balanced development for the upliftment of all the sections of the society and assured the members of the delegation that all the genuine issues projected by them would be examined and resolved in a time-bound manner on merit.
Former Administrator, Auqaf-e-Islamia Doda, Asif Jahan Gatoo met with the Lt Governor and demanded that special attention be paid to prevent encroachment of Waqf properties. He also reassured the Lt Governor about helping maintain communal harmony in the region.
The delegation of various Ulemas of Jammu & Kashmir submitted a host of demands including formation of Madrasa Board in the UT, strengthening of Waqf Board in the UT, protection to Waqf property in J&K and provision of honourarium to Maulavis of mosques. They also informed the Lt Governor about preventive measures and public interest activities being organized by their respective mosques.
The Lt Governor thoroughly noted all their issues and assured time bound redressal of genuine demands based on merit. He also acknowledged the role played by the religious leaders in generating awareness regarding ongoing coronavirus pandemic among the masses.
Meanwhile, a delegation of various communities called upon the Lieutenant Governor and submitted their demands and issues.
The delegation discussed various issues like swift delivery of domicile certificates, process of delimitation and rotation of reserved seats in Legislative Assembly. The Mahasha Sadar Sabha demanded shifting of slaughter house away from Dogra Hall area of the city.
The Lieutenant Governor, upon listening to the issues, stated that the administration is going to set up an institutionalised grievance redressal system in the UT which will make it easier for citizens to get their issues resolved. He reaffirmed that the Government is committed towards providing basic minimum amenities like roads, electricity, tap water, health infrastructure and schools thereby ensuring delivery of good governance.
Speaking on devolution of powers to panchayats, the Lt Governor said that District Planning and Development Boards are also going to be constituted in the UT in near future.
The delegation included President SD Sabha, Parshotam Dadheechi; President Rajput Sabha, Narayan Singh; President Brahman Sabha, Ved Prakash; President Mahajan Sabha, Romesh Chander; President Ravi Das Sabha, Piran Ditta; President Kabir Sabha, FC Bhagat; President Bhagat Sabha, Mohinder Bhagat; President Mahasha Sabha, ML Rao and Kali Dass among others.
Prof. BS Sahay, Founder Director, IIM, Jammu also met the Lt Governor and briefed him about the various ongoing management and research programmes in IIM Jammu.
The Lt Governor advised Prof. Sahay to adopt innovative and reformative measures to develop IIM as a centre of quality teaching and research activities, while maintaining the high standards. He further advised him to adopt J&K centric changes as per the New Education Policy.
There is a need to adopt new reforms into educational curriculums to bring some positive changes in the present system with special focus on capacity building, job oriented and skill development programmes to meet the demands of the modern global environment, he added.
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