Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 12: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has called high level meeting of top officers of Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on May 15 to review host of issues pertaining to security, development of infrastructure and upgradation of facilities at cross-LoC points. The Internal Security officers of the MHA and Home and Police Department officials from J&K among others would attend the meeting.
Top official sources told the Excelsior that the meeting has been scheduled for 5 pm at North Block on May 15.
The major issues on agenda of the meeting included review of security situation, restoration of infrastructure of Jammu and Kashmir Police damaged due to September 2014 floods, providing basic facilities to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), upgradation of infrastructure at cross-LoC points of Chakan-Da-Bagh in Jammu region and Salamabad in Kashmir, Annual Action Plan under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) and basic facilities for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) among others.
The Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA will preside over the meeting, which among others will be attended by Principal Chief Controller of Accounts (Home), MHA, Director (Finances/Home), MHA, Principal Secretary (Home), J&K, BR Sharma, Financial Commissioner (Industries and Commerce), J&K, Khurshid Ganaie, Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, K Rajendra Kumar and Director Industries & Commerce Jammu, Dr Sheikh Abdul Rashid.
Both the sides can co-opt other senior officers, if required, depending upon the issues to be discussed/raised in the high level meeting.
Sources said since it was internal security meeting, the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, arrangements for Amanarth ji yatra, starting on July 2 to August 29, deployment of additional para-military forces for the pilgrimage and related issues would obviously figure in the meeting though they have not been listed in six point agenda circulated for the meeting.
“All these issues can be taken up in the agenda out of box,’’ sources said.
The Security Related Expenditure (SRE) of Jammu and Kashmir, which is reimbursed by the MHA would also be taken up in the meeting. The amount spent on security by the J&K Government including salaries of Special Police Officers (SPOs), Village Defence Committees (VDCs), cash assistance to Kashmiri migrants etc forms part of the SRE.
They said a proposal to sanction Rs 318.07 crores for restoration of infrastructure of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), which was damaged in September 2014 floods would be discussed in the meeting. J&K would seek immediate release of the amount to restore the damaged infrastructure.
Another proposal on agenda of the meeting is providing basic facilities to the CRPF deployed in J&K amounting to Rs 142.13 crores. Annual Action Plan under the SRE (Works Programme) for 2015-16 amounting to Rs 209.31 crores would also be taken up in the meeting.
Sources said the SRE Works Programmes amounting to Rs 15.45 crores for improvement of basic facilities for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) guarding various jail complexes in Jammu and Kashmir would come up for discussion and approval at the high level meeting.
Another significant issue to be taken up in meeting pertained to upgradation of Trade Facilitation Centres (TFCs) for an amount of Rs 10.41 crores for Chakan-Da-Bagh on Poonch-Rawlakote route in Poonch district and Rs 15 crores for Salamabad, Uri in Baramulla district.
“Maintenance of assets created under Alternate Accommodation and SRE Works Programmes amounting to Rs 20 crores and Rs 10.42 crores respectively will also be taken up in the meeting,’’ sources said, adding that both the sides can take up any other issue in the meeting.
The MHA has asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government to give prior notice of any other issue they want to discuss at the high level meeting, sources said.
Sources said apart from review of security scenario and providing financial assistance to Jammu and Kashmir Police and para-military forces including the CRPF operating in Jammu and Kashmir, the MHA was also focusing on raising facilities at cross-LoC centres at Chakan-Da-Bagh at Poonch and Salamabad, Uri in Baramulla to give boost to trade and travel between two parts of divided Jammu and Kashmir.
Follow our WhatsApp channel