Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 29: The State Government remained non-committal on the issues of West Pakistan refugees as the Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Syed Basharat Bukhari did not reveal any policy on rehabilitation of the community.
Replying to Demands for Grants of his departments, the Minister preferred to remain silent on the issue of West Pakistan refugees while for the PoK displaced person, he only said that the State was following up the one time settlement package of around Rs 9000 crores, which has already been submitted to the Union Government.
“The Centre has raised some queries on Rs 9100 cr package for the PoK refugees and the State will respond to those observations of Government of India,” he said and added that a committee headed by the Deputy Chief Minister will be constituted to look into various issues faced by the community.
As no other announcement on the refugees was made by the Minister, the Congress Leader of Legislature Party, Nawang Rigzin Jora stood up from his seat and sought to know the Government view point on BJP’s demand for citizenship rights to West Pakistan refugees as well as reservation to PoK Displaced people in the Legislative Assembly.
“Where is BJP manifesto, which had promised reservation to PoK Displaced People on five out of 24 Assembly seats, kept for the occupied territory, and citizenship rights to West Pakistan refugees,” he asked.
As the BJP MLAs, present in the House, remained tightlipped over the embarrassing query of Mr Jora, Bashrat Bukhari replied that every party has the right to raise issues of anyone.
Meanwhile joining the issue, Independent MLA Engineer Rashid said that such issues could not be addressed until the resolution of Kashmir problem. However, he was strongly countered by BJP MLA Ravinder Raina, who said that Kashmir was already resolved and the only pending issue was illegal occupation of J&K territory by China and Pakistan.
Continuing his reply on the Demand for Grants, the Minister underlined the commitment of the Government towards the flood affected people saying that their rehabilitation is its top priority. He said that an amount of Rs 118.90 crores has been paid to 16199 families under the PMNRF, whose houses were fully damaged.
“Apart from this, a Special Plan Assistance of Rs 1000 crores has been built in the Annual Plan of the current financial year for permanent restoration of damaged public infrastructure. In addition to this, the World Bank has agreed to provide Rs 1500 crore for reconstruction work in key infrastructure sectors and for livelihood restoration. In this regard, the Government has constituted a Project Monitoring Unit that will monitor the flood recovery plan,” he elaborated.
With regard to relief being provided to Kashmiri Migrants, the Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to facilitate the return of migrants to the Valley. He informed that 3000 supernumerary posts have been created for providing employment to migrant youth in the Valley under PM’s Package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. The Minister said that a ‘Grievance Cell’ for the speedy redressal of issues faced by the Kashmiri migrants will be formed in the office of Additional Secretary, Relief and Rehabilitation.
The Minister said that State Government is also proposing to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to incorporate Heavy Snowfall, Heavy Rainfall, Lightning, Snake/Wild Animal Bite and Swine/Bird Flu to be declared as natural calamities under the SDRF/NDRF norms. It is also being proposed that the guidelines for assistance for repair/restoration of damaged houses and other public infrastructure need amendment, he added.
With regard to Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs, the Minister informed the House that for development of judicial infrastructure in the State an amount of Rs 32.57 crores during the current financial year (2014-15) has been released so far in favour of different executing agencies for construction of some ongoing and new projects including new Legislature Complex at Jammu, Construction of District Court Complex at Mominabad Srinagar, Construction of Lawyers Chamber at High Courts, Construction of District Court Complex at Pulwama, Udhampur etc.
He said that the Government is gearing up to establish a Law Commission in the State within a year and a Cabinet note in this regard will be prepared very soon. With regard to Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Comm-ission and Protection of Human Rights Commission, he added, the State Government is contemplating to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Human Rights Act, 1997 and Account-ability Commission Act, 2002 to make these Commissions functional by appointing Chairperson and other Members of these Commissions.
Further, he said, the Government has decided to enhance retainership of Advocate General, Additional Advocate Generals, Government Advocates, Public Prosecutors and Standing Counsels for which a special grant of Rs 2 crores has been earmarked in the next year Budget proposals.
Basharat Bukhari said that the State Government has also forwarded a proposal to the Union Government under 14th Finance Commission Award for construction of three Guest Houses for High Court at Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh. “A proposal has also been submitted for funding the digitization of record of the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs under the 14th Finance Commission Award. Besides, the Department has initiated the process of placing District Litigation Offices in all the Districts of the State to provide legal help to district administration and for monitoring of State cases at District Level,” he said.
The Minister added that to clear the pendency of cases and to provide speedy justice to the litigants, establishment of eight Fast Track Courts of the rank of District and Sessions Judges and ten fast Track Courts of the rank of Civil Judges (Senior Division) at an estimated cost of Rs 777.03 lakh is under active consideration of the Government.
He said the Government is working towards providing office space to the Legislators in their constituencies, besides a committee will be constituted to consider enhancement in the Constituency Development Fund.
The Minister also appreciated the role played by the people especially the youth and the defence forces in the September 2014 floods. He also congratulated the Election Commission of India and the State Election Department for having conducted free and fair polls in the State.
Earlier, the Minister moved a Demand for Grants of a sum of Rs 32705.23 lakh to defray the charges which will come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2016 for the department under his charge. As many as 18 Members took part in the discussion on demand of grants. The House passed the Grants by a voice vote.
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