Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 16: Various delegations today called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan Jammu and put forth their issues and demands.
Projecting the issues of the common masses in general and those of district Udhampur in particular, Harsh Dev Singh (chairman JKNPP and former minister) today submitted a memorandum to the LG seeking his personal indulgence for mitigating the sufferings of the people. He was accompanied by Gagan Pratap Singh (state secretary JKNPP).
Emphasizing the need of focussed attention towards the deplorable plight of the people inhabiting the remote areas, Singh called for special funding for such areas in view of chronic deficiency of basic facilities faced by them. He brought to the notice of the LG, the acute deficiency of staff in health and educational institutes in remote areas and the non compliance with the stipulated policies and guidelines in the matter posting of staff.
Pointing towards the growing unrest amongst the educated unemployed youth, Singh called for filling up of all vacant posts on fast track basis. He called for sympathetic consideration of the issues of daily rated workers of PHE, PWD, PDD, I&FC, contractual employees of NHM, MGNREGA, Education, SPOs, VDCs, etc. The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to issues projected by NPP Chairman and assured all possible support for redressing the grievances of the people.
Later, a delegation of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu (JKHCBAJ) led by its president Mohinder Bhardwaj met the LG and submitted him a memorandum of demands. The LG was acquainted about the problems being faced by the lawyers particularly on account of lack of infrastructure after the constitutional status of J&K state was changed to Union Territory and due to COVID-19 pandemic induced prolonged lockdown.
The delegation comprising office-bearers Mohinder Pal Singh Palli (vice-president), Surjeet Andotra (general secretary), Aditya Sharma (joint secretary) and Amandeep Singh (treasurer) made some suggestions regarding developing additional infrastructure in the Janipur Court complex itself to accommodate various tribunals and offices related to the registration work.
Alleging that the lawyers community particularly the young lawyers have been fighting for their survival in view of the COVID-19 pandemic which has been further compounded by the infrastructural issues, Bhardwaj sought the LG’s personal intervention and appealed him to take immediate steps to safeguard the interests of the lawyers.
Former MLC and JK UT spokesperson of BJP Girdhari Lal Raina also called on the LG at Raj Bhavan. While expressing concern over security issues of Kashmiri Pandits including employees recruited under PMs Package, Raina demanded comprehensive security audit of pockets inhabited by minority community and transit camps.
The former MLC demanded establishment of temporary camps in valley to ensure stay in comparatively safety on the pattern of political workers belonging to different political parties and class of people designated internally Displaced People. He further asked LG for framing a comprehensive affordable and reassuring insurance scheme for all these employees.
He also laid stress on the need of defining comprehensively “Distress Sale” under the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997. He also pointed out acute staff shortage in Relief Organization and urged to provide staff Relief Commissioner office for smooth functioning of the Organization.
A delegation led by Nimrandeep Singh Bhullar, General Secretary, J&K Youth Congress, including members of Yuva Jat Sabha, J&K also met Lt Governor and expressed gratitude for sanctioning one time age relaxation for Sub Inspector aspirants, besides presenting other concerning issues for consideration and redressal.
The Lt Governor while interacting with the members of the delegations assured them that their genuine issues and demands would be looked into earnestly and redressed on merit.
Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, Film Maker & Festival Director, Kashmir World Film Festival also called on the Lt Governor and apprised him about the Kashmir World Film Festival, latest edition of which is scheduled to be held in the coming April-May 2022.
The festival director said that four editions of Kashmir World Film Festival have already been held successfully in J&K.
While appreciating the efforts of Khan, the Lt Governor assured him of all possible support from the UT administration. The Lt Governor also asked Sh Khan for spreading awareness among the film makers and artists to avail maximum benefits under the Film policy 2021, notified recently by the J&K government.
Later, Chowdhary Showkat Ali from J&K Saaf Suthra Movement met the Lt Governor and presented issues pertaining to the development and welfare of tribal population of the UT.
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