Daily Excelsior... Editorial

EDITORIAL

One boy from the State has gained entry into a junior national cricket team. Another has made it to the North Zone although as a standby. Quite a few young persons have attracted wider attention in football field. Looked from our State's viewpoints these are not insignificant developments. We are slowly emerging from a difficult situation that has checked our earlier progress in almost every sphere. Young people are bringing about the refreshing revival. Our sports persons have always done well. They were on the threshold of achieving major breakthrough when the militancy stopped them in their tracks. Therefore, this is not surprising that it would take a little longer before we have a Sania Mirza in our midst. Or, for that matter, an Irfan Pathan. They are sparkling stars in real life. On the silver screen Shahid Kapoor has built a sizable following. There are a considerable number of young members in the Lok Sabha who hold out the promise that they would be active participants in the country's development. One will find a parallel in the State with mostly leaders of matching ages heading their respective organisations across the spectrum. The new youthful Indian idols serve as role models for the teenagers in this State too. Not very long ago our playfields used to hum with enormous activity varying from badminton and football to cricket. The Parade Ground in Jammu still does. Fortunately, Srinagar's Polo Ground has also gradually reverted to normal life. Another popular sports venue in the summer Capital --- Hazuri Bagh --- has been converted ....more

India as global power?

If the report by the National Intelligence Council (NIC) of the US predicting that India and China will become global powers by 2020 has caused ...more

Interesting trends in municipal elections
TALES OF TRAVESTY

By Dr. Jitendra Singh

As the State of Jammu and Kashmir goes to municipal elections being held after over a quarter century, interesting ........more

Changing the Financial Year

By Dr Navin Chandra Joshi

It is strange but true that the issue of changing the financial year of the country remains buried even though it had led to lot . ......more

Twists in Bihar politics

From Arun Nehru

Politics takes a very 'strange' turn and major political events take place not by planning or anticipation but by 'accident' ....more

Sufferings of the Sikhs

By Mohan Singh Kala

Sikhs in J&K lag behind others in several crucial areas of contemporary life. Incompetence and self-interest of Sikh leaders is to be blamed for this sufferings. . ....more

EDITORIAL

Power of youth

All that is required is to vigorously push the present pace. It is in the younger hands to achieve this. They can decisively move the world should they so desire. They must be provided with the best of facilities to inculcate in them a champion's killer instinct. The feeling has to be drummed into their ears that they are unbeatable. The difference between them and Hyderabad's tennis sensation and Gujarat's cricket wonder is that of the temperament. Sanias and Pathans have not looked back once having set their feet in the sports arena. Like Arjuna they have gone about hitting the target with rare single-mindedness. In our case, we won't let our youngsters to carry their love for sport, theatre or any such creative activity to a logical conclusion. Instead, they are asked to take up a conventional job and contribute to the family's coffers. This is despite the knowledge that quite a few current heroes have modest economic background. Of course, we don't have sound arrangements for providing effective coaching in any sport. We should make up for this deficiency by inviting the finest trainers to come and stay in our midst for some time. Sport-loving people may be required to lend a hand to the Government in this behalf. The upcoming generations may also feel inspired that their State can claim impressive representation among top poets, writers, singers, artistes, film-makers and media persons in the country. They are the people who have honed their skills in more difficult situations and in nearly alien surroundings. There is no reason at all why the younger boys and girls should lag behind. In fact, every citizen would feel inches taller if they do even better.

India as global power?

If the report by the National Intelligence Council (NIC) of the US predicting that India and China will become global powers by 2020 has caused any excitement in the country then it would be best to weigh some of its contents more soberly before getting intoxicated with a sense of anticipated greatness. The report itself has many if and buts and cannot be taken as a sure pointer of India attaining its potential as an important global player in the near future.

It almost brackets India's upswing with that of China's, stating quite clearly India has only an even chance of pipping China to the post by 2020. And that is possible only because of the current advantage that India enjoys in the field of high-tech and large skilled manpower conversant with English and entrenched democratic institutions that might be able to withstand any tremors caused by political upheavals. China's working population, thanks to its one-child norm, will probably, shrink compared to India, where population explosion is yet to be countered. It will be, however, unwise to underestimate the capabilities of the Chinese-and others in taking over India in the field of English-speaking skilled manpower.

An emerging power on the globe has to have at least a well-knit society and be able to count some sphere of influence in its neighbourhood. Here odds are staked against India quite clearly. The much valued fabric of secularism in the country that had kept the country bonded so strongly for almost 50 years appears to be thinning with the rise of communal forces and a host of regional and caste-based political parties which place individuals and regions ahead of the nation. China appears to be better placed in this respect- it seems to have lesser internal friction than India.

In the external field, the NIC report acknowledges that as though working in anticipation of China's rise, many countries in Southeast Asia have started to hint that they would go by the Chinese preferences on many key issues, such as Taiwan. India's neighbours generally prefer to do the opposite of what India wants.

In fact, the Chinese influence is already being felt in and outside the region. That may be partly because of a tacit alliance between China and the US owing to a convergence of their economic interests. To further boost that position, China has made its intentions very clear that disarmament and non-proliferation would not deter it from sharpening its military teeth more and more. China is poised to become the second highest military spender after the US, displacing Russia from the position.

India enjoys no privilege of being able to influence countries in the region even, though its economic and military potential may be evident to all. And Pakistan will remain a thorn in India's flesh even though the period till 2020 may not see the two countries go to war. Even as the so-called Kashmir -dispute- waits resolution to Pakistan's satisfaction (an unlikely event), Islamabad has been throwing hints that it is going to revive other contentious issues with India, one at a time, beginning with the Baglihar dam project near Jammu.

Being the work of US intelligence, though reportedly prepared after consultations with experts across the globe, the NIC report speaks or 'strategic complications' that may arise should India, with its economic 'magnetic' powers, indeed become a global player in the next 15 years. It can be assumed that the 'strategic complications' that worry the US are the possibility of waning regional role for the oldest US client in the region, Pakistan.

Outside economics, one very good reason why the Indian 'sphere of influence' may extend is that countries in the Southeast of Asia such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand might want to ally with India more closely to keep the more dangerous Chinese dragon at an arms length. But in that case the area of Indian influence will not end at South or Southeast Asia but stretch north-and westwards to Central Asia and Iran.

However, these calculations will look more real if chances for clearing some of the obvious hurdles on the way to political and military grandeur look bright. It is clear that for a country to move up it has to make rapid economic strides and uplift- the standard of living of an overwhelming majority of its people.

That may be easier said than done given the fact that over 300 million (estimates vary) Indians live below the poverty line circa 2005. If the high-income middle class is growing in India so is the number of devastatingly poor.

An opinion has gained ground that economic reforms in the country have to be stepped up if poverty has to be removed in double quick time. But two retarding factors loom large: the hold of stifling bureaucracy and red-tape (not to speak of the accompanying corruption and inefficiency) and political counter-pull from whichever party is in the Opposition as well as the Comrades with their penchant for status quo. India continues to be a comparatively less attractive destination for the much-needed foreign investment because of these reasons.

Assuming that the miracle of removal of poverty is achieved-and natural and man made Scourges do not occur---a key requirement for achieving greater economic strides will be getting the energy needs of a fast expanding economy. India will have to double its energy consumption in the next 15 years or even earlier if it has to join the Big League. The traditional energy resources are inadequate within the country to meet all the projected demand. Exploitation of non-traditional energy resources is slow and energy imports are always subject to whims of exporter. The role of energy can be gauged from the fact that it plays an increasingly greater role in shaping foreign and defence policies of importing nations-an indeterminate factor.

Then there are other natural resources than count in the upward movement of a nation, not the least of which is water. Dire forecasts are already being made about the fast depleting water resources in India and add to that the pressure on land needed for housing, industrial and agricultural activities.

However, all said and done, it cannot be denied that India has the potential of becoming a great world power some time in the near future if all goes well on the home front. Some countries may grudge India's inevitable upward climb. Many more would perhaps welcome it, if for nothing else than to see other centres of power emerging to unsettle the sole global cop.

The military superiority of the US as the sole super power is not likely to be challenged even in the year 2020. By then there will be many other strong players such as (united) Europe, Russia, China and India to allow the US to plan and execute adventurous policies that it has been doing so long, especially with the rise of neo-conservatives. (Syndicate Features)

Interesting trends in municipal elections
TALES OF TRAVESTY

By Dr. Jitendra Singh

As the State of Jammu and Kashmir goes to municipal elections being held after over a quarter century, interesting new trends have begun to unfold.

The most encouraging feature of the ensuing elections is that it has inspired virtually every political party, including the ones which were relatively reluctant initially, to jump into fray with all the seriousness and strength at their command. The National Conference, for example, after dilly-dallying for a while, now seems resolved to prove its standing at the hustings and, to use the Party President Omar Abdullah's words, expose the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as a dangerous schemer. Mufti, on the other hand, in keeping with his image of an astute seasoned politician, has welcomed the NC decision to participate in an important democratic exercise at the grassroot level.

In the Jammu region, particularly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is at pains to recover from the electoral reverses suffered by it of late. A few of its former leaders-----dismissed or disgruntled...... who have sought to revive Praja Parishad, may also find the present election crucial if they wish to vindicate their latest political experiment which is covertly aimed at settling a score with the BJP high command. The Congress has its own share of stakes in Jammu. While the party finds an opportunity to fill in the slot imprudently vacated by the BJP, people of Jammu expect its leaderhip to live up to its avowed objective of representing the aspirations of the region.

In an atmosphere charged with healthy electoral enthusiasm, it is now the duty of the election conducting machinery to ensure free and fair polls which could help strengthen the democratic forces while simultaneously marginalising anti-democratic lobbies and their vested agenda. With each successive election in the State in recent years, the voter turn-out particularly in the Valley has progressively increased. The same trend is expected to emerge during forthcoming municipal elections as well and infact the mass participation may further increase if the participating parties and candidates concentrate on local issues related to Municipality instead of indulging in out-of-the-context rhetoric for expedient considerations. One must hasten to add here that municipal election results particularly from the Kashmir region may, however, fail to be absolutely representative unless the authorities are able to evolve a mechanism that facilitates fullest participation from displaced Kashmiri Pandit voters living in Jammu, Delhi and elsewhere.

As for the choice of candidates fielded by different parties and groups, the lesser said the better. But then, the counter to this is, wherefrom to get the socalled right kind of candidates when those known to have a clean public image are either themselves hesitant to come forward or are discouraged from coming forward? The price that good people pay for not entering the governance is to be governed by bad people, wrote Pluto. Infact, this is an issue of a larger public debate in the background of contemporary society which tends to offer greater patronage to the more aggressive and the more manipulative.

In the final reckoning, nevertheless, it is the common man who will have to accept the responsibility for the kind of municipal councillors elected by him. Poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal reminds Umapathy against the hazard of democracy throwing up a majority determined by head-count rather than head-weight. ''Jamhooriyat Woh Tarz-e-Hukoomat Hai Ke Jis Mein, Bandon Ko Gina Jata Hai Tola Nahin Jata''

Changing the Financial Year

By Dr Navin Chandra Joshi

It is strange but true that the issue of changing the financial year of the country remains buried even though it had led to lot of debate for several years in past.

Now with the second phase of economic reforms in the country, the subject of a review of the current financial year becomes as important as are the reforms in banking, insurance, capital market, financial institutions, budget preparation and such other issues of financial sector.

In fact, it is generally not known as to what is the significance of the period of a financial year, which in our country happens to be from April to March 31. It is also not known if this particular period is indispensable or it can be changed for better results.

The general public is not concerned with aspects like this but our experts, policy - makers and planners should get involved in the exercise of reviewing this period for coming to some definite conclusion. If the current financial year period is found to be adequate then let it continue. In case it is found that by changing this period to some other period, lots of gains could be achieved as also from various angles, then the Government of the day should undertake the exercise to implement the change.

In several quarters there was a consenses in the past that the current financial year (April 1 to March 31) which has been in vogue in the country since 1897, should be reviewed for reasons of the changed circumstances. However, the issue has not evoked a national level debate as it has had a low priority amongst the many other pressing economic and political problems. With the onset of new financial year from April 1, 2002, the issue of changing the financial year does call for some introspection.

The high-level Committee on change in Financial Year, headed by late L. K. Jha, made an indepth study in consultation with various states of the country. In its report submitted to the Government on April 27, 1985 it suggested two alternative financial years in preference to the present April to March.

These are January to December, and July to June. It said that if the Government implemented some of the measures suggested for cutting down procedural delays in financial sanctions, the Committee favoured January to December as being the most appropriate.

In fact, a change in the financial year involved consideration of various issues like the knowledge of the agricultural conditions, the need to maximize utilization of the working season, the convenience of Members of Parliament and State Legislatures, the timing of the festival season, and so on.

The importance of financial year gets reflected in the presentation of the Budget of the Union and the State Governments, as also in its application. Article 112 of the Indian Constitution lays down inter-alia that the President shall in respect of every financial year cause to be laid before the houses of Parliament the statement of estimated receipt and expenditure of the Government for that year. Similar provision is laid down by Article 202 in regard to annual financial statements of the States.

The Estimates Committee of first Lok Sabha had observed way back in 1950 that the system of accounting and budgeting as it then existed might had had its advantage in the past, but it became cumbersome and a revision of the system was urgently called for. Subsequently, a Committee headed by late Mahavir Tyagi was set up to deliberate on the question of change.

Later, the Estimates Committee of the second Lok Sabha recommended for changing the financial year to commence from October 1 so that framing of revised estimates could be done with more degree of accuracy. The committee felt that monsoon months from June to August could be utilized for the penultimate and final estimation of budget proposals and the works season would almost be over by the time preparation of the budget started. The budget could then be presented in the later half of August and voted by the end of the September. The Government, however, did not agree with these suggestions.

Again in 1967, the Administrative Reforms Commission on Financial Administration Reforms Commission on Financial Administration examined the matter in depth keeping in view some major considerations viz., efficacy of performance and convenience of legislators and administrators.

From the standpoint of revenue and expenditure estimates the view was that the most suitable date would be January 1. However, from the point of view of efficiency of performance, October 1 or July 1 was found to be equally desirable. On the whole, it was decided that the balance of advantage would lie in favour of October 1 more especially from the angle of performance.

For changing the current financial year, arguments put forth are generally related to agricultural operations in the country. The revenue of the Government is said to fluctuate considerably with the success or failure of agricultural production which depends on South-West monsoon. Indirectly, there may be some impact as agricultural production influences the output of industrial sector both on demand and supply side.

With the possible exception of a small proportion of customs duty, the bulk of Government revenue comes from the industry sector whose production, to a large extent, depends on agricultural performance. In the wake of the Wheat Revolution, the rate of growth of rabi crops almost doubled as a result of which the share of khariff crops in the total foodgrain production had gradually declined over the years.

Therefore, it became imperative for the Government to have some idea about the size of rabi crops also, in addition to that of khariff crops, at the time budget is prepared. By the end of October, monsoons disappear and the Government makes a fair estimate of khariff production as also whether moisture content for rabi season is inadequate or not.

Also, the element of prices cannot be ignored. They are almost linked with crop prospects and as such, the Government should have adequate knowledge about the state of agricultural production when the budget is formulated.

In case the financial year is changed to October 1, the Government will need to present budget one month earlier, i.e., on August 31, but by that time, no estimate could be made of Kharif output in the country. Nor will it be possible to know anything about rabi prospects as it is only towards the end of November that some idea could be had. In view of the aforesaid, it seems that January 1 will be the only alternative left for change over to a new financial year.

It may also be noted that with any change in financial year, lots of changes in various laws will need to be made, particularly the taxation laws. At present, different assesses follow different years for purposes of various taxes. These years include calender year, financial year, June year, Dussehra year, Diwali year, Baisakhi year, Sam vat year and so on.

Other countries also have different financial years. In United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Greece and Canada, the financial year commences on April 1. In France, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Poland and a few others, it begins on January 1. In countries like Australia, Hungary, Sweden, Italy and the USA, the financial year runs form July 1, while in Burma October 1 is the starting period.

With change in financial year, the existing defects and complications may be done away with, while the tax payers would need to be given option to change their accounting year. The resultant administrative problems will have to be reckoned with for a smooth switch over.

Considering all the aspects involved, the choice seems to be heavily titled in favour of calender year (January 1 to December 31) as the financial year of the country for all financial transations.

Thus changing the financial year will be quite in consonance and compatible with the new economic reforms that have been going on in the country for more than ten years by now. The issue, therefore, deserves a full scale debate inside and outside the Parliament to thrash out the matter as part of the ongoing financial reforms taking place in the various sectors of economy. PTI Feature

Twists in Bihar politics

From Arun Nehru

Politics takes a very 'strange' turn and major political events take place not by planning or anticipation but by 'accident' and look at the current turn of events in Bihar and to some extent in Jharkhand. Lalu Yadav and family looked invincible in the elections as court cases and strictures on several issues had little effect, the opposition was in disarray as the BJP/JD[U] despite a huge victory in the 1999 election and 10 ministers in the NDA government lost the initiative in the 2004 Lok Sabha election and the Congress was held 'captive' by limited seats = senior opposition leaders and former PM's supported Lalu Yadav for secular politics and ignored aspects of criminality be it murder, extortion or kidnap or the issue of tainted ministers = Lalu Yadav is cleared in the 'assets' case and the fodder case can take many decades as 24 MP's at the Center dictate the agenda. The Justice Banerjee report is released [interim report] on the Godhra train fire in time for the 'elections' and Lalu Yadav makes fiery speeches to his Muslim vote banks and there are no complaints on 'secular' principals as political compulsions take over senior political leaders and many in the secular media for their own interests. Bihar continues to burn as things are clearly out of control as Lalu Yadav is dependant on 'strong men' for his Yadav/Muslim vote bank and there is simply no rule of law = the political fraternity fails, the law courts do what they can under the system and the lower bureaucracy is a active participant whilst the seniors are stunned into inaction but everything changes with the kidnapping of a 14 year old DPS student and a group of tearful students surround Lalu Yadav and his helicopter and the Bihar strongman is unmoved , the nation watches the drama 'live' and suddenly a tearful protest becomes a 'torrent' and a 'National' shame. Allies can support this lawlessness at their own risk and Lalu Yadav is also at war with the Congress as they fight 80 seats [many against the RJD] and the LJP leader, Ram Vilas Paswan isolated by the RJD finds political space and a 'ally' in the Congress and harsh words are exchanged as Lalu Yadav threatens to teach everyone a lesson! The future is uncertain and a election in three stages will now be a negative for the RJD and everyday in the field till the polls are conducted will be a negative for Lalu Yadav. Politics aside let us pray for the safe return of the 14 year student Kishlay Gupta and express our gratitude to the school children in Bihar for their act of courage and for rousing the conscience of a system divided into secular and non secular groups with little concern for the suffering of the public. There is news today that another student has been kidnapped today in Nalanda district

Uma Bharti is sick and her 'ailment' may help the BJP/JD[U] as electoral politics in Bihar is caste related and both the BJP/JD[U] have star campaigners and without doubt their prospects along with the Congress/LJP improve but if we look at formations as they exist then the grouping of the RJD/Left/LJP/Congress still have a decisive advantage over the BJP/JD[U] but Lalu Yadav may well lose his 'absolute power' if the Congress win 20-25 seats and the LJP win 15-20 seats! My estimate was that Lalu Yadav and the RJD will win 90-100 seats but as the movement gathers momentum the political dynasty of Lalu and Rabri Devi looks shaky. Lalu Yadav may still win but for the future he is a 'loser' and perhaps this incident and its effect will have some positive bearing on the political situation in Uttar Pradesh where the criminality and Mafia influence is on the increase and neither the SP/BSP are free of this ailment as they battle each other for control.

The situation in Jharkhand is again bad for Lalu Yadav but he is unable to 'frighten' Shibu Soren and the JMM and setting up RJD candidates will not effect the situation as the JMM/Congress is poised for a big win [ two thirds] and as things stand the situation in Haryana may even be better as the INLD face a rout and OP Chauthala is under pressure on both his seats and can lose to either Randeep Surjewala or Jagdish Nehra both of whom are strong candidates. The real fight in Haryana is between the four factions within the Congress and 'rebel' candidates have to withdraw and clearly as I see it the CM will be determined by the leader who has the maximum MLA'S and as things stand Bhajan Lal has a distinct advantage but then in Haryana anything can happen and it is good for the state to see the talents of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Shelja and the young Surjewala whose father is also contesting the polls and has always commanded respect in a system where few rules apply. Haryana desperately needs a change for the better and it is indeed sad that a state which is economically on the upswing should show great anti=incumbency trends against the INLD.

These are occasions when the system requires a 'real' leader and a PM who can crack the whip and assert his authority, honesty and administrative competence is no substitute for political decision making and it is a sad situation where we have a PM without political muscle or clout who justifies criminal elements in the Ministry on the plea that they are not 'convicted' and we have the sad spectacle of two Cabinet Ministers hurling abuse at each other [Lalu and Ram Vilas] and another [Shibu Soren] attending court in a murder case and I sometimes wonder if we need security 'frisking' in the Cabinet room as the battle of words can become quite physical and in Bihar little happens without some form of physical action. The authority of the PM is crucial and I think that the current tussle on the 'need' of a National Security Advisor for the future after the tragic and untimely demise of JN Dixit reflects the contradictions within the system. My knowledge of the system and the current challenges is limited but having been in a senior Cabinet position and a member of the CCPA/CCEA I cannot but feel that the post of the NSA duplicates many a function within the system and creates a power base which curbs the authority of senior Cabinet members. No PM with political control needs a NSA.

Sufferings of the Sikhs

By Mohan Singh Kala

Sikhs in J&K lag behind others in several crucial areas of contemporary life. Incompetence and self-interest of Sikh leaders is to be blamed for this sufferings. Rulers from Dogra Raj to present day have been indifferent towards them. During Dogra Raj they were settled in far flung areas where educational and other facilities were not available. N.C. backed out from the promises given to them during freedom struggle. Displaced persons of 1947 were settled in Jammu on borders. They were allotted meagre evacuee and Khalsa lands at different places; they were settled at in such a way where the Sikh population dispersed. They have suffered more educationally and economically during NC, Congress and PDP Govts.

Despite their struggles and sacrifices, they have not achieved much. Their own attitudes and aptitude is responsible for this, although their grievances are genuine as their rights and interests have not been safe-guarded. As microscopic minority they were ignored in services and in reservations of seats for students in the professional colleges. In democracy it is duty of the Govt. to protect interests and safeguard rights of the minorities. For this Sikhs need to introspect to find out lopholes and should not blame the Govt entirely. It is a fact that economic policy of the successive Govts are responsible for their present day plight. Govts opted and pursued economic policies which benefitted a particular region, section of society, upper classes and vested interests. Funds are allotted by the Government on political and other considerations, ignoring the Sikh interests. Sikhs are likely to suffer in future because there has been a political culture of indifference towards this community by the successive Governments. The following issues which confront the Sikh Community are:-

*Constitutional guarantees in safe guarding their rights and interests.

* Education

* Employment

* Redressal of grievances of 1947 displaced persons

*Security of Sikhs in Kashmir valley.

To safeguard their rights and interests, they have to consolidate their political strength. They should be pragmatic and realistic in their approach. Their representation in the legislature is not as per their population. Thin dispersal of their population is one of the causes. Even many constituency with large Sikh voting population have been reserved for scheduled castes. In other constituencies they have been reduced to minority. To reverse this either constituencies should be delimited or reservation should be made as has been done for Christians and others. 25 seats kept reserved for legislature for PoK should be utilized. For these seats DPs of 1947 should be given the rights to contest elections. They should explore the possibility of forging political alliance with other political parties in every constituency with Sikh population for contesting elections. For this, astute politicians should come forward either to form a viable political party or the Sikh organisations should come on one platform to work for achieving the political aim. Sikhs owing allegiance to different political and social organisations should work jointly for the community cause by forging the bonds of unity among themselves; try to have an Amalgamation like Hurriyat as has been done by Muslims in Kashmir valley. They should work for political and social development of the community and also to highlight apathetic attitude of successive governments towards them. They should pay attention for spread of Sikh teachings instead of constructing huge gurudwaras and should set up professional institutions and establish industries for the upliftment of the community.

In education Sikhs lagged behind as compared to others. After partition of the country in 1947, Sikhs were driven away from Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Mirpur and other places. Majority of the Sikhs were Zamindars; they left their homes and hearths and were resettled in Jammu Province. They had no source of income and no Govt. relief or support was given, except allotment of land in patches. They had to work hard in Transport and other fields for their livelihood. As such children of DPs of 1947 could not get proper education in medicines, science and technology. Sikh youths were not exposed to modern educational facilities, with the result that they have negligible scholars, scientists, technocrats, administrators. As community lagged behind in education and was not economically well off, they do not have modern education institutions, medical colleges, modern hospital, Ist Class Library. Even they do not have community centre/hall, club, parks. They have not given a single newspaper and T.V. Channel and commercial bank. Sikhs do not have a Forum to meet for critical thinking and for discussions on matters on confronting the community.

Sikh youths are facing unemployment problems for the reasons that majority community gets preference in the Govt. services. Govt has its own compulsions. They are not in a position to compete with advanced communities to get employment in private sector. The era of civil services is almost over for them. They must learn modern education. Sikhs ought to take more interests in trade, small business and self employment. Those who are engaged in studies should work hard to earn more. The demands of DPs of 1947 have been kept pending on the ground that PoK is part of Kashmir whereas Migrants of 1990 from Kashmir valley have been treated as if they are not part of Kashmir valley. DPs of 1947 should have been treated at par with migrants of 1990 in respect of providing relief and other facilities. As regards the existing position of J&K it is unlikely to be altered as neither Govt of India nor Govt of Pakistan is sincere in settling this issue. Concern of DPs of 1947 is settlement of their claims of proprietory rights of evacuee land allotted to them. Making up of deficiency of land allotted to them, payment of cash relief and regularisation of their Bastis.

Sikhs living in Kashmir valley after 1990 still feel that their lives and property is not secure due to militancy. Govt failed to fulfill the promises given in this respect at the time of massacre of Sikhs at Chittisingh Pora and Majoor Nagar. There is need to built confidence measures for their continued stay in Kashmir valley to remove their apprehensions. They should be provided equal opportunities in services, education and in other fields. There is need to take administrative measures for posting of Sikh Govt. employees near their homes and settling their day to day administrative problems. They have played a greater role in strengthening communal harmony in Kashmir.