Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 28: The State Cabinet was today understood to have given nod to inclusion of certain issues pertaining to rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, compensation to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees, livelihood to West Pakistani refugees, engagement of children and youth to wean them away from protests and review of cases of youth, who were not involved in serious crimes, for inclusion in Governor NN Vohra’s Address to joint session of the Legislature on January 2.
It also reportedly approved inclusion of several upcoming developmental projects like two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), two Smart Cities, IIT, tourist circuit, new National Highways, several road projects, beautification of Dal lake, Tawi river front etc for inclusion in the Governor’s Address, which would be third of PDP-BJP coalition Government.
The Cabinet would approve budget proposals in the next meeting. The general budget of the State for financial year of 2017-18 is scheduled to be presented in the Legislature on January 9.
The State Cabinet meeting that was chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was deferred from scheduled timing of 4 pm in the Civil Secretariat here to 5.30 pm as BJP Ministers wanted to have their exclusive meeting at 4 pm before going in for the Cabinet meet.
The BJP Ministers met in the office chamber of Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and discussed the major points to be included in the Governor’s Address among them before heading for the Cabinet meeting.
“Everything went well. Barring replacement of few words, the meeting was held in very cordial atmosphere unlike December 10 meeting which Mehbooba had left in a huff following differences with the BJP over re-structuring of KPS cadre,” sources said.
Sources, however, disclosed that the BJP has decided that before every Cabinet meeting in future, their all Ministers would meet in the office chamber of the Deputy Chief Minister, discuss the agenda, evolve a consensus among themselves and then proceed for the meeting.
“The process, started today, will go on,” they said, adding this will help the BJP to ensure that no problems crop up for them after the Cabinet meeting.
The issue of KPS re-structuring didn’t figure in today’s Cabinet as the Cabinet Sub Committee set up by the Chief Minister on the issue hasn’t finalized its recommendations so far.
Meanwhile, according to sources, there will be direct reference to the Government taking all possible measures for better livelihood and basic amenities to West Pakistan refugees in the Governor’s Address apart from expediting the process to provide compensation to PoK refugees, the first installment of which has been approved by the Union Government at Rs 2000 crores from out of Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
The Governor’s Address could also reiterate honourable and dignified rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit migrants in the Kashmir valley.
Sources said the Cabinet was of the view that children and youth, who were involved in over five month long unrest in the Kashmir Valley needed to be engaged in different activities to wean them away from violence and the Government would send a message to this effect that it was committed to those, who shun violence, through the Governor’s Address.
Similarly, the Governor’s Address could also carry the Government message that the youths, who were arrested during the unrest period but were not involved in serious offences, should be released after adopting a proper mechanism for them so that they don’t engage in such activities in future.
The PDP-BJP Government would also highlight developmental works taken in all three regions of the State by it, apart from the works which will be taken up under the PMDP or with the Central support.
The setting up of two AIIMS, two Smart Cities, Dal lake beautification, Tawi river front, Tourist Circuits etc were likely to be launched next year and all of them could be part of the Governor’s Address.
The damage caused to the Government property especially the Government schools and buildings could be highlighted in the Governor’s Address.
Sources said barring re-structuring of loans by the Reserve Bank of India, the Government is in no mood to compensate traders for the losses suffered during the unrest period as it was of the view that they had observed shutdown on their own and were responsible for the losses.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel