*CM seeks 50:50 quota for local officers in IAS, IPS
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on early implementation of Agenda of Alliance (AoA), reached between the two coalition partners, PDP and BJP, while forming the Government in Jammu and Kashmir and assured all help from the Centre in its implementation.
Modi gave this assurance to Mehbooba during meeting with him in New Delhi this afternoon. Mehbooba called on the Prime Minister before leaving for Saudi Arabia for 10-days long ‘Umrah’. She would leave for Saudi Arabia early tomorrow morning and return here on March 2.
Modi reportedly said the Centre was committed to implementation of `Agenda of Alliance’ of PDP-BJP coalition Government.
Mehbooba is reported to have taken up a number of developmental related projects with the Prime Minister for early clearance, release of funding and up-gradation of their status to facilitate their early completion.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Chief Minister briefed Modi about political and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where the first-ever PDP-BJP coalition Government would complete two years on March 1. While the PDP-BJP arrangement is working well, there have been frequent law and order problems in the Kashmir valley in view of unrest last summer amidst reports that it could be revived this year too.
The Chief Minister is understood to have given comprehensive view of political and security situation in the State. She has been advocating resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan but hasn’t hesitated from blaming the neighbouring country for the deadlock.
Sources said the Agenda of Alliance between the PDP and BJP Government involved number of points, which required to be implemented by the Central Government. Mehbooba reportedly took up these issues with Narendra Modi including return of power projects to the State.
Sources said the Prime Minister has assured the Chief Minister that the Central Government will fully support the State Government, led by Mehbooba Mufti, in her efforts to bring around socio economic development change in Jammu and Kashmir.
Modi assured the Chief Minister that all issues raised by the Chief Minister during the meeting would be expeditiously looked into and expedited for early resolution and disposal.
Mehbooba, however, wanted that the Agenda of Alliance on which there was unanimity between both the coalition partners, should be implemented in a time bound manner.
Another significant issue taken up by Mehbooba Mufti with Narendra Modi pertained to extension of special dispensation of 50 per cent quota for inductions into IAS, IPS and IFS from the local cadre officers beyond 2013.
Jammu and Kashmir had special provision of 50 per cent quota into IAS, IPS and IFS for inductions into these services from State cadre officers and 50 per cent postings through direct recruitment. The Central Government was now insisting on treating Jammu and Kashmir at par with other States with 67:33 quota i.e. 67 percent direct recruits and 33 per cent through inductions of local officers.
The Chief Minister stressed that the old provision for Jammu and Kashmir should be allowed to continue and sought the Prime Minister’s intervention for this.
The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister for using his office for expediting the flood protection works and dredging in river Jhelum as envisioned in the Prime Minister’s Development Plan (PMDP). Funds for the project have been earmarked in the PMDP.
She sought immediate mobilization of resources by the Dredging Corporation of India and the concerned Union Ministry for expeditious dredging in river Jhelum and completion of other flood protection works in it.
Mehbooba sought immediate preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Vailoo-Singhpora and Mughal road tunnels by way of periodic release of funds and requisite technical help from the concerned Central Government agencies.
The construction of Vailoo-Singhpora tunnel will provide another alternate road link to the Kashmir by connecting Kishtwar with Anantnag district in all weather conditions. Presently, this road opens only during fair weather. Similarly, construction of Mughal road tunnel will also make this road an all weather. The road linking twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with Shopian district in the Kashmir valley also works as fair weather road presently.
Mehbooba also urged the Prime Minister to declare Mughal Road as an alternative National Highway in view of the frequent climatic obstructions on the only road link between Jammu and Srinagar-the existing National Highway.
Mehbooba Mufti had few days back called on Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and made similar demands before him as these pertained to his Ministry.
The Chief Minister also requested the Prime Minister to declare Basohli to Pul Doda road on Lakhanpur-Mahanpur-Basohli-Dunera road as a new National Highway and initiate the DPR process for a tunnel at Chattergalla for providing additional surface connectivity to the State with rest of the country.
It is pertinent to mention that MoS in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also MP from Doda – Udhampur LS seat on February 15 had convened a high-level meeting with senior Defence functionaries to carry forward the proposal for construction of historic “Chatter-galla” tunnel project on Basohli-Bhaderwah road axis.
Mehbooba also requested for adequate funding for raising another battalion of women’s Police in J&K Police’s Executive Cadre. She also requested funding from the Centre for raising additional dwelling units in the transit accommodation units for Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir valley.
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