Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 19: A delegation of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), led by its president Anil Sharma, today met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum seeking resolution of long-pending issues of villagers from Jindrah and Nagrota in Jammu district.
In a statement, Sharma said that the delegation shared with the Union Minister that several families had donated their ancestral land decades ago for defence establishments like FAD 15 at Jindrah and 4 ASD at Ban Nagrota.
In return, he said, the Union Minister was informed that the families were assured job preference for local youth in the Army, MES, FAD, and related departments.
He said the Defence Minister was apprised that this practice was followed for a few years but stopped abruptly 15 to 18 years ago.
The delegation urged revival of this recruitment preference for qualified youth living within a 20 to 25 km radius of these defence installations.
Sharma also raised concerns about the low and irregular rent being paid for the acquired land and requested the Ministry to consider a one-time compensation or fair settlement, citing the land’s economic and emotional value.
The delegation appreciated the Indian Army’s recent Operation Sindoor, stating that it had further strengthened the bond between civilians and the armed forces.
AJKPC Secretary Rakesh Sharma supported the demands and expressed hope that the Defence Minister would take positive steps. He said the affected families have always supported the Army and now deserve justice for their contributions.
Dr Naveen Mavi and Dr Alok Mishra were also part of the AJKPC delegation.
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