Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: A deputation of members of Sikh Progressive Front, led by its President S Balvinder Singh, met Ramdas Athawaley, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and discussed with him some very important issues and demands pertaining to the minority Sikh community of JKUT which are pending since long at various levels of the present administration and also with the office of Lt Governor JKUT.
SPF demanded inclusion of non migrant Sikh youth in Prime Minister Special Employment Package granted under SRO- 412 which was further amended by SRO 425 to exclude Kashmiri Sikh youth from the benefit.
Other demands highlighted before the Union Minister, included induction of member from Sikh community in the J&K Public Service Commission, inclusion of Punjabi in the JKUT Official Language Bill 2020, installation of the statue of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur at Kunjwani Chowk, due compensation to the NOK’s of those 14 persons killed in 1989 anti Sikh riots at par with the other riot victims in the country, application of National Minority Commission Act in JKUT as enforced in number of States and implementation of Anand Marriage Act in JKUT.
The Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured to take up the issues with the appropriate authority for a logical conclusion. He was of the view that demands put forth by SPF members are genuine and required proper assessment and due consideration so that justice is imparted to the micro minority Sikh community of JKUT.
Other members of the delegation were Manjit Singh, Sharanjit Singh, Tejinder Singh, Janak Singh.