Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 21: Members of Parliament- Shamsher Singh Manhas & Jugal Kishore Sharma today met the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan.
The MPs discussed with the Lt Governor about various developmental issues of the UT and other issues of public importance.
They also shared their views on the present development scenario in Jammu and Kashmir,
While interacting with the MPs, the Lt Governor observed that the people have high expectations from the present Government and comprehensive measures would be taken keeping in view the developmental needs of the people of J&K to ensure holistic development of J&K.
He urged them to continue their sustained endeavours for promoting the public welfare.
B R Sharma, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, also met Lieutenant Governor.
They discussed about various important issues pertaining to the functioning of the J&K PSC including conduct of various examinations, interviews and filling up of vacancies.
Stressing on maintaining greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the JK PSC, the Lt Governor asked the Chairman to take all the requisite measures to ensure timely conduct of examinations and interviews of the candidates, besides expediting the recruitment process and clearing pending cases.
A delegation of J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu met the Lieutenant Governor and apprised him of their concerning issues.
The delegation led by its President, Abhinav Sharma, submitted a memorandum of demands to the Lt Governor pertaining to increasing the number of Judges in the Subordinate and Higher Judiciary; sanctioning stipend to new entrants in the profession as done in other States/UTs; grant of special financial aid for developing infrastructure of two halls etc.
They also requested the Lt Governor for granting financial assistance for the financially distressed, young Advocates of Jammu on the lines of the financial relief earlier provided by the Government to the young Advocates of J&K whose livelihoods have been severely hit due to COVID pandemic.
Pertinently, the UT Government has earlier sanctioned an amount of Rs One crore as a financial assistance to financially distressed, young Advocates of J&K in view of the COVID pandemic.
The Lt Governor assured the delegation that their projected issues would be examined and taken up on merit, within available resources.
A deputation of the Dogri Sanstha, Jammu, also called on the Lieutenant Governor
The delegation, led by its President, Prof. Lalit Mangotra, apprised the Lt Governor about various demands and issues pertaining to the promotion and popularization of Dogri language, literature and culture.
The members of the delegation also briefed the Lt Governor about the initiatives undertaken by the Dogri Sanstha for the promotion and preservation of Dogri heritage.
The Lt Governor, while interacting with the members of the delegation, assured them to review all the genuine demands and issues put forth by them for their early redressal.
He observed that promotion of any language needs collective efforts. Language is a cultural identity and every single individual associated with the language needs to come together for its promotion and preservation, he added.
Lieutenant Governor also met delegation of Federation of Industries from Jammu province led by Lalit Mahajan.
The delegation submitted that the ongoing COVID crisis has inflicted heavy losses on the industry, which needs immediate redressal. They demanded an industrial package to compensate the losses incurred due to withdrawal of incentives after imposition of GST in 2017 and due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They also submitted that timely payments of GST refunds be made to help the industrialists.
They also asked for promotion of green industry, besides making available CNG in the UT. Certain exemptions on interest rates and waiver of electricity and demand charges were also demanded by the delegation.
The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to the delegation and informed them that a committee has already been formed under the chairmanship of Advisor KK Sharma to assess the losses faced by the local industry. ‘All stakeholders shall be consulted while forming a policy for the industry’, he added.
The members of the delegation also sought promotion of environment friendly, clean and green industry in the region. They also asked for a horticulture tree census and promotion of horticulture activities in the region. The Lt Governor was apprised about the situation post abolishment of Lakhanpur Toll Post.
Meanwhile, former Legislators, ex-Auqaf Chairperson and a delegation of West Pakistan Refugees called on Lieutenant Governor.
Former Legislators including Jahangir Mir, ex-MLC and former MLAs- Ch. Akram, Ashwani Sharma and Manjeet Singh and Sarpanch, Ramgarh, Bittu Chaudhary put forth various demands and issues related to the socio-economic development of their respective areas.
The Lt Governor observed that the Administration is taking necessary measures to address the basic issues concerning people of J&K. He also urged them to continue their sustained efforts for the growth and advancement of their respective areas, on all fronts.
Later, Qayoom Dar, ex-Chairman, Auqaf and Chief Administrator, Shahdara Sharief shrine met the Lt Governor and briefed him about several arrangements being put in place to augment the existing facilities for the devotees.
The Lt Governor asked him to ensure all amenities to the devotees with increased accessibility and improved infrastructure to tap the potential of the religious tourism of the area, besides following all SOPs during the ongoing pandemic.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the West Pakistan Refugees Action Committee led by its President, Labha Ram Gandhi also called on the Lt Governor and raised various welfare issues of West Pakistan Refugees.
The Lt Governor assured the delegation that all issues raised by them would be taken up on merit for their early redressal
While interacting with the delegation, the Lt Governor said that the UT Government is committed to ensure equitable development of Jammu and Kashmir, besides safeguarding the rights of all residents of J&K.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
