Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 19: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today projected the demand of granting Divisional status to the Pir Panjal and Chenab regions of Jammu and the creation of more districts to ensure better administrative outreach.
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Addressing the party’s public interaction programme at Rajouri, Mehbooba said Jammu and Kashmir has been going through a difficult phase since the 2019, when the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories (UTs) and its special status was revoked. She said several hilly areas in Pir Panjal range and the Chenab belt need to be recognised as separate districts to ensure the administration reaches people’s doorsteps.
While naming Kotranka and Budhal in Rajouri, she said it was difficult for just two Deputy Commissioners of Rajouri and Poonch to manage a vast region like Pir Panjal, adding that the issue would be raised both in the Assembly and with the Government.
She said while some people may oppose the move, there is a pressing need to grant divisional status to Pir Panjal range — Rajouri and Poonch districts — and the Chenab valley — Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts.
“Creating Hill Councils is a different thing, we want the two regions to be given divisional status. The Divisional Commissioners should be based in Pir Panjal and Chenab region so that people are not forced to travel to Jammu or Srinagar,” the PDP chief said, asserting that the step would resolve many long-pending issues.
Referring to the proposed National Law University in Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti said a controversy was being deliberately created about its location to divert attention from the real issues. “The bill for the Law University was passed by the PDP Government and we were planning to introduce reservation of seats for local students which should be the real demand.”
Questioning how many students from Rajouri and Poonch manage to secure admissions at premier institutions like IIMs, IITs and NITs, she said the absence of reservation puts local students at a disadvantage and prevents them from competing on an equal footing.
Former Chief Minister alleged that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence was closed even as Muslim students secured their admissions through the NEET examination.
“Poonch and Rajouri have immense potential for tourism and horticulture. We hope Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will pay due attention to tap the full potential of these two sectors,” Mufti said, claiming that the development in Rajouri and Poonch suffered a setback after the fall of the PDP government in 2018.
The PDP chief said the Mughal Road tunnel and its recognition as a National Highway was a long-pending demand. Noting that the road remains cut off for nearly six months every year, she said the issue would be taken up with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to ensure its speedy completion.
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