‘Package employees will be given all benefits’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Mar 30: Reiterating Central Government’s commitment to ensure the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the efforts are being made to create the conducive environment for the same.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Addressing the Navreh function organized by Kashmiri Pandit Sabha here today, the Lt Governor said that all the obstacles in the way of return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley will be removed and Government is seriously working in that direction.
“Government is committed to the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir valley. The Central Government is working on this. Efforts are being made to create the environment for this and we will eliminate all the obstacles to make it possible,” he said.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor assured the PM package employees that appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that all the benefits available to other employees of J&K Government are extended to them as well.
Sinha interacted with the people and extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes to all. He prayed that the year ahead bring happiness, joy and fulfilment to all and illuminate their journey with lights of hope for a better future.
Lt Governor was the chief guest during the function while Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo and former DGP Kuldeep Khuda were the guests of honour.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor exhorted the young generation to take a pledge to celebrate the nine days of Navratri as Nari Shakti Utsav.
“We should resolve to provide equal opportunities to our daughters in every sphere of life,” he said.
Sinha also lauded the significant contribution of Kashmiri Pandit Community in J&K’s growth journey and nation building.
“Jammu Kashmir is blessed with the spiritual energy. The Kashmiri Pandit community has been practicing for thousands of years on this land and has touched the ultimate peak of consciousness. On this occasion, we should also remember the great men and women of the Kashmiri Pandit community and pay homage to those great personalities,” he said.
He appreciated the vital contribution of everyone associated with Kashmiri Pandit Sabha and other stakeholders in preserving and promoting the cultural and spiritual heritage of Jammu Kashmir.
“The kind of coordination and efforts that many Kashmiri Pandit organizations are making and the values that are being inculcated in the younger generation, I am confident that no one can harm this vibrant culture,” the Lieutenant Governor further said.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that the celebrations of Navratri and Navreh also reflect the unity in diversity and strengthen the emotional bond. “Let us take a pledge today that we will further strengthen this unity for the welfare of Jammu Kashmir,” he further said.
Earlier, president of the Sabha K K Khosa while presenting the welcome address highlighted the critical role played by the Sabha for the past more than a century in safeguarding the interests of the Kashmiri Pandits especially when the Valley was passing through turmoil situations from time to time. He appreciated the role played by the GoI under Narendra Modi and the UT Government under Manoj Sinha during the past decade in containing terrorism in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that this is the result of the policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism that the situation is near normal in the Union Territory by now.
He said this is one of these reasons why the chorus regarding return and resettlement is growing with each passing day. He complimented the Lt.Governor for coming with a heavy hand on all the anti-national elements. “Having received a decisive mandate by the NC Government in UT of J & K we hope that robust return and rehabilitation policy is formed after due consultation with the community leadership to ensure our resettlement back in our mother land”, he added.
“Till the formation of new rehabilitation policy we request that an exclusive employment package for our community youth be formulated to relieve them of despair and despondency for growing overaged,” he said.
He also demanded enhancement of the monthly cash relief to mitigate the suffering of poor and marginalized people of the community and compensation for owners of farm land besides due compensation to be given to KPs whose houses and other property was razed to ground during turmoil and protection of Hindu shrines in Valley.
Annual Report was presented by S. L. Bagati, general secretary of Sabha.
Programme was conducted by Dr. Sujata Sathoo.
Vote of thanks was given by Deepak Dhar. Deepali Wattal, a well known singer recited Saraswati Vandana on the occasion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
