Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Khidmat Centre Association has launched a protest to demand the immediate implementation of a long-promised Permanent Settlement Policy, citing a complete collapse of their livelihoods after 16 years of dedicated public service.
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The protesting people said for over a decade, Khidmat Centres have been essential to delivering critical Government and banking services, especially in the most remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Operators have acted as frontline workers during major crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, yet now face an unsustainable future as the cessation of banking services has crippled their operations. But the J&K Bank, the designated Service Centre agency, has failed to secure the future of these vital centres.
Despite assurances from Government officials over the years including, Dr Jitender Singh (BJP MP/ Minister), many other public commitments, no concrete action has been taken to formalize their employment status. This prolonged inaction has left 1109 highly skilled professionals in a state of financial and professional uncertainty. The Association argued that a permanent settlement is not only a right but also an obligation of the stakeholders who established the centres.
The President of the Association stated, “Our demand is clear and just- implement the promised Permanent Settlement Policy. Until this is met, the Government must announce support of 150,000 per centre, per month, without any further delay.”
The Association has appealed the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for their personal intervention to resolve this critical issue. The Association has made it clear that if a policy decision is not made promptly, they will be forced to intensify their agitation.
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