Govt defends VDCs, says no need to disband them

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 23: Amidst row generated by some political parties and organizations over the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), the State Government today strongly defended the role played by the VDCs to curb militancy and protect the people in remote and far off areas.
“Just one VDC member being involved in murder of National Conference leader in Kalakote area of Rajouri district didn’t mean that all VDC members were at fault. They have done commendable job. They are still playing a good role to keep the militancy under control,’’ Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, Incharge Power and Housing & Urban Development Departments, told media persons at his residence here this morning.
He was replying to a question on demand of some organizations for disbanding of the VDCs after a VDC man murdered a NC leader in Kalakote recently.
“One man can be wrong and not all VDCs. The VDC members had laid down their lives while fighting militancy. They will continue to do that,” he said.
There were 4122 VDCs in the State and all of them have done extremely good job in protecting the people from militancy and eliminating militants. They have also rendered great helping hand to security and police personnel.
Dr Singh said the VDC member involved in the murder has been arrested and law will take its own course in his arrest.
On inauguration of North India’s first cable stayed bridge at Basohli tomorrow by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Deputy Chief Minister said it will become a new gateway to Jammu and Kashmir for the people of neighbouring Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and open flood gates for tourism and business activities. Apart from this, the bridge was also important from strategic point of view.
“We expect flow of tourists from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to Bani, Basohli, Billawar and Ranjit Sagar dam with the opening of new bridge,” he said, adding the Government has also decided to launch water sports in Ranjit Sagar dam.
Replying to a question on Health and Medical Education Minister Choudhary Lal Singh’s claim of taking credit for cable stayed bridge in Basohli, Dr Singh said: “no doubt Lal Singh is local MLA of Basohli but I’m also resident of that area. There should be no politics on the bridge as it doesn’t belong to any individual but the country and has been constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO)”.
Recalling that the BJP had even launched agitation in Basohli for this bridge and the party workers were also lathicharged by then Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, the BJP leader said they had got the FIR registered against Farooq.
“This bridge is the long drawn struggle of the BJP and was conceived during Atal Bihar Vajpayee regime though its foundation was laid in the UPA Government,’’ he said and recalled that prior to 1947, there used to be Kohala route to reach Basohli (which is now in Pakistan) and then Lakhanpur route was opened. The bridge will now become second gateway to J&K.
He announced that Lakhanpur to Danera road will be widened to attract tourists from the new bridge.
In response to another question on Government rejecting BJP’s demand for declaring October 26 as holiday on occasion of Accession Day, Dr Nirmal Singh said this is an issue for the BJP and the party will definitely pursue its case and fight to get the holiday declared.
The BJP had demanded declaration of October 26 as holiday on the occasion of Accession Day but the recently issued holiday calendar had no mention of it.
However, the Deputy Chief Minister said there were no differences in the coalition Government, which was working very well, leading to start of numerous developmental works in the State.
“The Government is working very well. There is perfect coordination between the two alliance partners,’’ he added.
He reiterated the Government resolve to hold Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections in March and Panchayat in May-June next year.
Replying to a question on imposition of Services Tax on Mata Vaishno Devi ji pilgrims travelling by air, he said the tax has been imposed on the helicopter companies but this was an issue for the BJP and “we will ensure its withdrawal’’.
On question of Ansari Commission reports in 1984 and 1989 anti-Sikh riots, Dr Nirmal Singh said he was not aware of the reports as the issue has not figured in the Cabinet so far. However, he told the questioner that he will try and find out the reports.
On controversy over two Medical College Principals in Srinagar, Dr Singh said the appointments haven’t been made by the State Government but by the Health and Medical Education Ministry.
To a question, said the experts will visit Srinagar by the end of this month to explore the possibility of holding an IPL match in Srinagar in 2016 season.
Describing protests against National Food Security Act (NFSA) as “politically motivated’’, the Deputy Chief Minister charged the National Conference with misleading the people on the Act.
He said the NFSA will benefit people of the State.

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