Plea to Chief Secretary

Sir,

We beg to State that we had submitted two representation-on dated 27.9.2001 (Published in Daily Excelsior of 28.9.2001) and the other dated 2002, both addressed to the then Chief Secretary to Government.

Medical Allowance:-

In para 127.19 of their report (Vole-III), the 5th Central Pay Commission suggested grant of medical allowances to each pensioner at Rs. 100/- per month who were not covered by the Central Government Health Scheme. They also recommended medical scheme providing complete health insurance both to employees and pensioners in non- CGHS areas. Accordingly medical allowance previously paid to all pensioners of the State at Rs. 80/- per month was raised and fixed at Rs. 100/- per month w.e.f. 1-1-1996 by the State Government.

We have requested that the said allowance be raised and fixed at Rs. 300/- per month as the price of medicines had greatly risen above since 1-1-1996 and their price was rising day by day. Moreover, the Present amount of Rs. 100/- per month was too meagre to meet the Doctor's fees costly medicines, medical tests for various ailments suffered by the old pensioners and family pensioners, and also because the Central Government, Health Scheme was not applicable to our State and also no medical Scheme providing complete health Insurance, was under consideration of our State Government, as recommended by 5th CPC.

The Punjab Government are paying 5 percent old age allowance to pensioners of 65 years age and above and 10 percent to those of 75 years age and above of their basic pension, since August 1989.

We have requested that similar Govt. orders to got issued for payment of old age allowance to State Pensioners and family pensioners as are being paid by our neighbouring State (Punjab Government).

We may State that we tried our best to meet the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary to Govt. in this connection, before Durbar Moves but they could not spare time on account of Assembly work.

We request for sympathetic consideration of our above demands and issue of Government orders as soon as possible.

Yours etc...
President
All Jammu & Kashmir Pensioners
Association (Retd). Jammu.

Control of GMC

Sir,

An inconceivable decision taken by the Government in crushing the spirit of minority community by taking over the Gandhi Memorial college within the purview of the Govt. on feeble and unjustifiable reasons is not only ludicrous but humiliating too.

An unwise step taken by the Govt. on the plea that displaced persons could not manage the affairs of the institution from Jammu is far from the truth. It clearly speaks for malafide intentions of the Govt. provoking things bound to disturb the rich ethos germinating distance in the mankind holding different faiths. The Managing Committee has contributed a lot to retrieve and revive the lost glory of the institution which had become totally paralysed during these unfortunate years of turmoil.

We have host of similar institutions throughout the country which are being managed properly without any undue interference from the Govt. When our Govt. is able to run the entire State of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh from our point looking to the needs of the subjections, what pricks the govt. if the managing body can look after the health of the institution uniformly and efficiently.

The frequent visits of the managing body to Valley establishing fool proof system to control the affairs of the institution is sufficient to substantiate the truth.

It should have given no grouse to underestimate and underrate the genious of the managing committee well known for their integrity and efficiency.

Let us be fair and judicious in dealing things which aim to multiply co-existance, understanding without speaking libellous language.

In this backdrop I hope the Govt. will consider the issue appropriately and see how best he can douse the grouse without believing in canards allowing the managing body to manage the affairs of the institution as heretofore.

Yours etc...
P N Sus
129 Surya Vihar, Bohri
Jammu.

Police Naka-parties

Sir,

On May 13, 2002 I was on my way from New Delhi to Katra to perform pilgrimage at the Shrine. We left Delhi in a Delux Bus and reached Pathankot around 11.30 PM. As we entered J&K at Lakhanpur a couple of Octroi guards entered the bus and charged the passangers carrying mini coolers and house-hold goods without any mercy. This heavy amount charged from ignorant passangers was simply pocket ed and no receipt issued after a thorough harrassment. Now onwards, as we resumed our journey towards Jammu we came across a dozen 'Naka' points but the Police personnel sitting in their chairs were simply dozing. At no point between Lakhanpur and Katra were we stopped or our bus searched. We simply concluded that any terrorist or "Fidayeen" could take any bus for a ride and shot at any 'Naka' party. Our apprehensions proved very correct the next day when the so-called "Fidayeen boarded a Himachal Transport bus and no "Naka" party enroute checked the passangers and terrorists sitting inside.

We feel it is the right time that the DG J&K Police winds up these so-called Naka Points and replaces the same with civilian volunteers instead of defending his "Nakas".

Yours etc...
Madan Mohan Bhatta
Block EA/40
Inderpuri, New Delhi-12.