Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 11: Strongly criticizing the functioning of BJP Ministers, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has alleged that a common man is feeling cheated who has voted sincerely in the Assembly elections because of their blind faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi as there is neither any accountability nor any responsibility fixed for the ministers in this border State by the Central leadership.
This was stated by the CCI in its memorandum submitted to visiting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here this evening.
The memorandum which showed total dissatisfaction with the functioning of BJP ministers demanded that a team of independent observers be sent by the Union Government who should visit the main areas of the State and interact with a common man independently to know the working and ground realities as on date even after three years of Coalition Government in the State.
The delegation was led by CCI president, Rakesh Gupta along with his office bearers namely Rajesh Gupta, senior vice president, Rajeev Gupta, junior vice president, Manish Gupta, secretary general, Gaurav Gupta, its secretary and Ashu Gupta, Treasurer.
The delegation also reminded Singh about his previous visit to the State during which the CCI had requested for removal of public announcement systems from all religious places which is a major source of trouble and may lead to communal provocations but no action has been taken till date in this regard.
Chamber also demanded that no illogical statements should be issued by anyone from the Union Government without knowing the ground realities in this sensitive State which leads to Jammu V/s Kashmir and ultimately Kashmir V/s India.
The delegation strongly demanding the deportation of Rohingyas from Jammu said though Union Government is serious about the same as per the newspaper reports but no action on ground has been seen as these foreigners can be a big security threat in the coming days. It is pertinent to note that these Rohingyas cannot be termed as “Refugees” as neither they are registered with the security agencies nor concentrated at single place in Jammu but spread all across to escape the eyes of security agencies.
Referring to recent NIA raids and their findings about Hawala money CCI strongly suggested that no Government official should be posted for more than six months at the trade/ transit points at Chakandabagh and Salamabad so that no one can enter into any sort of nexus which ultimately leads to maligning of this important confidence building measure between India and Pakistan.
It made a strong plea that a trade authority at Chakandabagh and Salamabad be approved who shall be overall incharge of different departments and security agencies at both the points in Jammu and Kashmir as a part of “Ease to do business”. Besides, proper audit of verification of traders carrying on trade at LoC points be done.
Chamber expressed concern over the delay in completion of tourism related projects as well as artificial lake in Jammu and demanded that State Government be taken to task for the same.
They further demanded that the Union Government to allocate special advertisement budget to promote religious tourism circuits especially Mata Vaishno Devi, Shahdra Sharief , Nangali Sahaib and Budha Amarnath in Jammu province.
It said though thousands of crores has been spent on development of infrastructure through IRCON in power sector funded by Union Government but still the power crisis in Jammu remains the same making the life of not only the business people miserable but of a common man too.
On industrial front the Chamber urged the Union Government not to compare the State of J&K with Himachal or Uttrakhand but to treat the State at par with the Industrial package proposed for the North Eastern states considering the militancy, remote location and bordering with China and Pakistan.
A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits led by Ajay Bharti, MLC highlighted the problems of exiled Pandits in detail.
The delegation members included Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo president Panun Kashmir (PK), Dr Agnishekhar, convener PK, Dr Ajay Chrungoo its chairman, K K Khosa president KP Sabha, Ravinder Raina president ASKPC, H N Jattu, president AIKPC, Chand Ji Bhat president BJP Displaced District and Virender Raina spokesman PK.
The delegation demanded a special Crime Tribunal be constituted to look into excesses committed on KPs for last 30 years and culprits be brought to book and Kashmiri Pandits be provided justice, said Ashwani Chrungoo.
He said it referred to the Supreme Court Judgment and NHRC decision in this regard and said it is imperative on Government of India to constitute special Crimes Tribunal to investigate whole issue of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Further it also demanded establishment of High Power Committee comprising of representatives of Government of India and representatives of displaced Pandits which will discuss, debate and take decisions on return and resettlement of the KPs in Valley. It specially referred to geo-political aspirations as expressed in Margdarshan resolution of 1991, Chrungoo added.
This was endorsed by Home Minister and Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh who was also present there and Dr Singh asked the MLC Ajay Bharti to take an initiative in this context.
Dr Jitendra Singh also asked Bharti to take initiative of arranging another meeting with Union Government as demanded by PK convener Dr Agnishekhar who said that in such a short span of time the issues of displaced Pandits who are the main victims of Pak sponsored terrorism can’t be discussed.
The memorandum given by KP Sabha president K K Khosa demanded that an inter community dialogue in structured manner be held with those people in Kashmir who have total faith in Indian Constitution for the restoration of peace and normalcy as well as rehabilitation of exiled Pandits in their homeland. Moreover long pending issues of CBMs should be initiated to instill a sense of confidence in the community.
A delegation of S O S International led by Rajiv Chuni demanded the justice for 12 lakh PoK refugees who are fighting for last over seven decades for the redressal of their grievances.
Chuni submitted a memorandum demanding inclusion of 5300 left out families of PoK DPs of 1947 in the current package, grant of refugee or internally displaced persons status to PoK DPs, implementation of PoK DPs package passed by previous Cabinet of NC-Congress Government in October 2014, constitution of PoK DPs Development Board, grant of economically and socially backward status to PoK DPs, application of Central Act like Displaced Persons Compensation and Rehabilitation Act of 1954 for rehabilitation of PoK DPs, reservation of seats in State Legislature etc.
Another delegation of All Migrant Camp Coordination Committee led by its president Desh Rattan also submitted a memorandum to Singh demanding permanent rehabilitation of Pandits in Valley by taking concrete steps in this regard, removal of encroachments from migrant property in Valley, settlement of revenue records, release of ex-gratia relief to gutted houses , shops etc of displaced Pandits, employment package to the community youth, minority status to KPs, enhancement of cash assistance, compensation for orchards and agriculture land, soft loans for overaged youth of the community, removal of encroachments from religious properties, issuance of Backward Area certificates etc.
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli today called on Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and discussed various issues including Border Area Development Programme and problems being faced by the people living in border areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu division.
Kohli briefed the Home Minister that due to shelling in border areas, the education and road connectivity of these areas has been affected which needs to be addressed on priority. He apprised the Union Minister that special package should be given to the students of border areas of the twin districts. He also demanded the release of special funds under Centrally Sponsored schemes so that the damaged infrastructure would be repaired and augmented well in time.
The Minister informed the Union Minister about the problems of Nomadic people (Gujjars and Bakerwals) who undergo seasonal migration and had to move on foot along with their family members and livestock and often face hardships en-route due to non-availability of transportation and medical facilities. He also demanded improved educational facilities for children of nomads at mobile schools.
The Union Home Minister gave a patient hearing to the Minister and assured him that all of the genuine demands would be taken up and looked into for redressal in a time bound manner.
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