Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 5: The State Assembly today rejected a resolution on declaring victims of 23-years of militancy in the State as national liability for their rehabilitation in a time bound manner.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA, Nizamudin Bhat, brought private members resolution before the house that orphans, widows and disabled persons suffering due to any type of militancy related incidents be declared as a national liability for the purpose of their support and rehabilitation.
PDP MLA Choudhary Zulfikar Ali moved an amendment before the house to the resolution of Bhat saying that militancy victims should be rehabilitated “in a time bound manner”.
The resolution that was put to vote in the House was defeated as all the members of the House except those of PDP voted against it.
While speaking in the House in favour of his resolution, Bhat said that country and the local Government should take the responsibility of these people who have become victims of the circumstances. He said that it is not the liability of the Governments only but the house as well.
Bhat urged both the Central and State Governments to help this distressed lot on humanitarian grounds. He said that it is an obligation of the Governments to rehabilitate them without any discrimination.
While responding to the resolution, the Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itto, said that Government is trying its level best to rehabilitate these victims. She informed the House that Government has formed Rehabilitation Council to help them.
Itoo said that 5,176 widows are being given Rs 750 as assistance on monthly basis in the State while equal amount is being given as old age pension to the needy. She said that scholarships and tuition fee is also being given to the militancy victims and marriage assistance to the needy has been enhanced from Rs 10, 000 to Rs 20, 000.
The Minister said that Rehabilitation Council is giving assistance to 6600 orphans in the state. She said that Government is doing its best to help the victims and wherever there is need more would be done.
The Resolution moved by Charanjit Singh envisaged stationing of the Patwaris and VLWs at their respective Panchayat Halqas. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Abdul Haq Khan and Ch. Zulfkar Ali moved amendments to the Resolution. The mover as well as other Members explained the motive of the Resolution, saying that due to shortage of Patwaris/VLWs and their non-presence in the headquarters has created numerous problems for the people in the rural areas. They impressed upon the Government to ensure presence of these employees in their respective headquarters to mitigate the problems of the common man.
In his brief reply, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla said that Government has already issued instructions to the Patwaris & VLWs to remain present at their respective Panchayat Halqas at least twice a week to attend people’s problems. However, he admitted the paucity of Patwaris and VLWs and said that efforts are afoot to make the recruitment of such posts on fast-track basis.
Mr. Bhalla opposed the Resolution and amendments of the Members and the House later rejected it.
The Resolution of Mir Saifullah seeking atleast one Science and Mathematics teacher to primary, middle and high schools of the State to improve the efficiency of the students was discussed in depth. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Abdul Haq Khan and Ch. Zulfkar Ali moved their amendments to the Resolution.
Mir Saifullah explained the objective of the Resolution and said that by providing the services of these teachers in the schools, the students of the rural areas will be able to compete with their urban counterparts and students of private schools. He urged the Government to consider the Resolution, keeping in view the importance of the education.
Minister for Technical Education, Youth Services & Sports, R S Chib said the Government was making constant efforts to improve the education standards in the Government schools. He said during the past some years various reformative measures have been initiated which have resulted in increasing the literacy rate and results in Government schools. He said Central Government has given liberal support to expand the education sector under RMSA and SSA programmes which has changed the overall education scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.
On satisfactory reply from the Minister, the Member withdrew his Resolution.
The fourth Resolution of Vikar Rasool pertaining to declaration of Ramban district in general and particularly Banihal Constituency as most backward area to ensure speedy development was briefly discussed and the matter remained under discussion at the time of adjournment of day’s proceedings.
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