Several delegations, individuals call on Governor

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 25: Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister, met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here.
Prof. Mattoo briefed the Governor about the various initiatives underway for advancing the interests of the people and the State of J&K.
The Governor discussed with Prof. Mattoo the need to focus on the vital importance of protecting the integrity of the entire educational sector from primary school upwards and for particular care being taken to nurture and advance the aspirations of the youth.
The Governor deeply regretted the attempts at politicizing the educational arena and exploiting the youth for pursuing narrow and negative objectives.
A delegation led by Surindera Jain, National Spokesperson, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP); and comprising Rajesh Gupta, Vice-President VHP, J&K; Surinder Aggarwal, President Baba Amarnath & Budha Amarnath Yatri Niyas and Suresh Kumar Gupta, Working President, VHP also met Governor.
The delegation discussed with the Governor various issues relating to the smooth conduct of Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2017.
Wazir Mohd. Zara, President Baltal Pony Porter Organisation, Sonamarg, met Governor and requested him to intervene for improving the condition of the road between Srinagar and Baltal before the start of Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2017, especially the road stretch at Hariganiwan.
He expressed satisfaction and conveyed thanks for the rates fixed by the Deputy Commissioners of Ananatnag and Ganderbal regarding hiring of ponies and porters and setting up of tents and shops, after due consultation with the stakeholders for the forthcoming Yatra 2017. Zara requested that the State Police and Central Police organisations be specially directed to adhere to these rates. He also apprised the Governor about the status of snow accumulation on the Yatra tracks along both the routes.
Governor assured Zara that the road improvement issue will be followed up with the State Government and BRO.
A delegation of the Progressive Civil Society Group comprising Arajmand Makhdoomi, Rashid Rahil, Asrar Ali, Sahil Farooq and Abdul Qayoom also met Governor.
Members of the delegation shared with the Governor their strong views about the urgent need for restoration of peace and normalcy in the State. They urged that a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue could be found through a meaningful dialogue with all the stakeholders, addressing the issues of youth on priority and providing them employment oppurtunities.
The Group urged that the growers in Jammu and Kashmir should be taken into confidence while changing import duty rates applicable to products grown in the State; national media being persuaded to avoid negative publicity of incidents in the Valley; a special fund being established by the Central Government for encouraging entrepreneurship in the State; directives being issued to all private and public sector companies to employ youth of the state and deal sensitively with issues of labour; reservation of jobs in the Central Government for youth from J&K; and a 24 hour helpline being set up for the youth who are studying/working in other parts of the country.
The Governor assured the Civil Society Group of necessary support for carrying forward their initiatives for promoting the welfare of the State and urged them to continue sustained efforts for bringing peace and normalcy in J&K.
Social activists Dr. Girija Dhar and Meera Khanna, both members of the Guild of Service also called on Governor and discussed the trauma, trials and tribulations faced by women and children due to the periodic periods of unrest in the Valley and offered certain suggestions to bring about peace and normalcy.
The Governor urged Dr. Dhar and Khanna to continue their valuable activities, both at Srinagar and Tangmarg, and assured them of his support. While re-iterating the crucial importance of restoring peace and normalcy in the State, he urged them to particularly focus on strengthening the educational arena and counseling youth against being exploited by those pursuing negative objectives.

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